Listening Distractions
Listening Distractions
Distractions are the divided attention of an individual or group from the chosen object of attention, onto the source of distraction. Distractions are caused by: the lack of ability to pay attention; lack of interest in the object of attention; or the great intensity, novelty or alertness of something other than the object of attention. Distractions come from both external sources and internal sources. “Art of Public Speaking” by Stephen E Lucas In this assignment I will focus on five listening distractions and effective ways to combat them. In order to become an effective speaker, it should be known that success comes from being an effective listener. By understanding barriers to listening the speaker can eliminate or reduce distraction prior to delivery of the speech. Some distractors are listed below.
1. Noise: Intrapersonal, Semantic and Situational
a. Intrapersonal; this comes from a listener’s internal dialog, daydreaming, or focusing on their internal thoughts “day dreaming”. By listening to their internal speech, the listener will lose concentration on the speaker and miss points and topics of the speech.
b. Semantic; these are words or phrases used by the speaker that my trigger a process of thought out of line with what the speaker intended. These “trigger” words are based on several different aspects of the audience’s make-up, from gender to ethnical or country of origin and religion.
c. Situational; this is the physical noise distraction that may come from the design of the lecture hall, an open door or window that allows outside noise to enter, or the rustling noises associated with the audience, i.e. cell phones, coughing, side bar conversation.
2. Speaker Perception
a. This is the perception the audience makes in reference to the speaker, how the speaker presents themselves, does the speaker use filler words such as, “umh” or “you know”. Does the speaker utilize a slow methodical pattern which bores the
Distractions are the divided attention of an individual or group from the chosen object of attention, onto the source of distraction. Distractions are caused by: the lack of ability to pay attention; lack of interest in the object of attention; or the great intensity, novelty or alertness of something other than the object of attention. Distractions come from both external sources and internal sources. “Art of Public Speaking” by Stephen E Lucas In this assignment I will focus on five listening distractions and effective ways to combat them. In order to become an effective speaker, it should be known that success comes from being an effective listener. By understanding barriers to listening the speaker can eliminate or reduce distraction prior to delivery of the speech. Some distractors are listed below.
1. Noise: Intrapersonal, Semantic and Situational
a. Intrapersonal; this comes from a listener’s internal dialog, daydreaming, or focusing on their internal thoughts “day dreaming”. By listening to their internal speech, the listener will lose concentration on the speaker and miss points and topics of the speech.
b. Semantic; these are words or phrases used by the speaker that my trigger a process of thought out of line with what the speaker intended. These “trigger” words are based on several different aspects of the audience’s make-up, from gender to ethnical or country of origin and religion.
c. Situational; this is the physical noise distraction that may come from the design of the lecture hall, an open door or window that allows outside noise to enter, or the rustling noises associated with the audience, i.e. cell phones, coughing, side bar conversation.
2. Speaker Perception
a. This is the perception the audience makes in reference to the speaker, how the speaker presents themselves, does the speaker use filler words such as, “umh” or “you know”. Does the speaker utilize a slow methodical pattern which bores the