Interpersonal Communication Case study Essay

#1.) After reviewing the information in this case study, you find that Parris’ husband, Lavar, was not listening when Parris first told him to pick their daughter up from school. Explain how Lavar and Parris should use effective empathic listening and responding skills to discuss this issue. I think that Parris should talk to Lavar and see why he is forgetting, they should talk it out and not get mad and yell, maybe Lavar is so swamped with work he has all his attention focused on work that he forgets. Likewise Parris works all the time and she does not forget so maybe Lavar isn’t really paying attention to Paris in what she is saying or he is generally forgetting what Parris is asking him to do. #2.) What are the five activities that make up the process of listening? Using the case study scenario, describe how Lavar might not have listened properly because he did not focus on one or more of five steps of the listening process. The five activities that make up the process of listening are: Selecting, Attending, Understanding, Remembering, and Responding. Lavar did not listen properly because he did not remember and probably wasn’t attending, his mind was probably elsewhere thinking about something else when Parris was talking to him. #3.) What are four common listening styles? Which listening style does Lavar employ? What about Parris? Can you foresee problems with a couple who have different listening styles? Why? 1) Relational-oriented 2) Critical-oriented 3) Analytical -oriented 4) Task-oriented. I think that Lavar employs the Task- oriented one the most because he seems to be interested in focusing more on accomplishing a task  than on focusing on the communication relationship when listening to others. Paris could be more a critical listener she seems to be good at evaluating information she hears, and is able to hone in on inconsistencies in what someone says. I think that there could end up being a lot of problems for these two if they do not figure out how to communicate and listen to each other properly. #4.) Using the specific examples from the case study, list and discuss at least three listening barriers that may cause conflict between Lavar and Parris. 1) Distractions: We get distracted by what is going on outside (our surroundings) and inside ourselves. 2) Attachment to personal beliefs and values: We tend to find facts and evidence that support our views and we dismiss anything that weakens them. 3) Misinterpretations: When we add an interpretation to what someone’s saying or doing, we introduce possible errors in communication. I think that for Lavar, his problem could be distraction. He is not really paying attention to what Parris has asked of him. #5.) Given the path you choose in the case study, do you believe Parris’ reactions will help Lavar and her overcome their listening differences or is she just masking the problem? What might she do differently to enhance their communication? I think that Parris is just masking the problem she is not really looking at why they are not communicating well enough she just thinks it is all on him, when it is not it is on both of them to be able to communicate effectively to each other. She can talk to Lavar and find out why he is not doing what she asks, is he ignoring her or is he not sure of what she wants because of bad communication?