The relationship between listening styles and conversational sensitivity

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between the listening styles people tend to employ habitually and related levels of conversational sensitivity. Conversational sensitivity deals with the extent to which people enjoy listening in social interaction, can identify hidden meaning in conversations, and generally are highly aware of implicit messages that may be gained from conversations. One way in which conversational sensitivity might be apparent is in the listening styles which people rely on habitually. Conversationally sensitive receivers may favor one or two listening styles over others. The results indicate a positive relationship between the People listening style and conversational sensitivity, as well as weaker positive relationships between the Content and Action styles and sensitivity. Conversationally sensitive people are most likely to employ the People listening style. The results illustrate the conversational advantages of employing a People listening style.