Give a personal example where you have had selective
attention. Why do you think this
is? Is there a way you were able
to overcome it?
Selective attention means
choosing a message that seems to have importance to us over another. We tend to pick out, sometimes unintentionally what we would rather
listen to. It is also hard to give our full attention sometimes because of our
internal noise. We tend to see how important our thoughts are over what is
actually happening. For example when I am attending a conference or a big
meeting where there is just one speaker, I tend to not listen as well. I would
actually be thinking about what I would do next after the meeting or thinking
about what an issue I have, totally zoning out the speaker. When the topic
seems too hard or it doesn't interest us, we tend to not listen very well
either. This can be overcome if one just listens to the speaker and give an undivided
attention. It can also be helpful if one just looks at the speaker by
giving them eye contact.
I agree that sometimes we use selective attention to keep us in a positive mood and stay away from topics that frustrate us. I don't think giving undivided attention is 100% the way to go really. I mean it could be successful for some people to give undivided attention to someone but even if the person was totally confused at the topic? I don't think so. I feel that the solution lies in the amount of information the person can process and apply to what they already know. For example, people hate having to study the table of elements in chemistry but when they apply the bonds correctly to create their own substances its safe to say that they can have a lot of fun with what they desire to make.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. I found your blog on selective listening informative and enjoyable. I agree that as humans we pick and choose what we want to here. At times internal noises are the reason why we have selective listening. You gave a good example about a time at a conference. I also am easily distracted in large groups where there is only one speaker, or the topic isn't interesting. There are many barriers that make listening difficult and selective and you gave a great examples. It is important to be an effective listener if one wants to communicate efficiently. Thank you again for sharing and you did a great job!
ReplyDeleteHello Cyyntthhia! I really like this post. The personal example you have provided is a good one because I think everyone can relate to it in some form or other. It's simple and not too personal to your own life which is also good in my opinion. Your example is more of a light hearted topic whereas I chose a harder one because it has to do with family. Whenever I have a meeting, lecture or presentation that I have to listen to and there is only one speaker I also tune out. The only time I listen in is when the topic being spoken about pertains to me either beneficially or negatively. Even during lectures when I'm taking notes I don't really listen. Today, we are so consumed in our own chaotic, busy lives we tend to focus on us which is only natural. If we were to take time to step back and reflect on what we really think about all day I think it would be interesting to find out what we truly hold important in our lives.
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