A Review of:
“Why Don’t We Listen Better: Communicating & Connecting in Relationships”
Summary
James C. Petersen, author of “Why Don’t We Listen Better: Communicating & Connecting in Relationships”, does a wonderful job of sharing very practical & personal advice, experiences, and information needed for better communication in relationships. Most people think they listen well, but they don’t! Peterson (2015) shows his readers that through active listening, communication works on all levels and ultimately can help people feel heard, understood and connected. Peterson’s text is not subject to one group of people, but to anyone who desires to maximize and improve their communication with others. The text explores several processes that, if followed, will assist the reader with listening more effectively.
In the first part of the book, Petersen (2015) outlines the Flat-Brain Theory of Emotions, which includes the stomach, heart, and head. The stomach is described as the location where the emotions and feelings reside. The heart is the place where concerns, suggestions, and support are given and received and it is also the place where personal responsibility is taken. The head function is considered the logical part of an individual. It is where our thoughts are stored. Next, Petersen (2015) describes the Flat-Brain Syndrome. This is the process by which the stomach, heart, and head function systems go out of whack. The stomach overloads with mixed emotions, causing the
In conclusion effective communication with children, young people and adults is fundamental to developing relationships. It should be remembered that whilst it is important for me to communicate effectively with others it is equally important for me to listen to others to further develop the relationships I have.
Interpersonal Communication is a very important ingredient in making strong, healthy relationships. Communicating is how we get a better understanding of one another’s perception of things, as well as how we help someone to better understand ours. We need to express our feelings in relationships and know that they are reciprocated. Not communicating leads to problems and misunderstandings. People need to learn to understand what the other person is trying to communicate. Interpersonal communication is the process by which people exchange information, feelings, and meaning through verbal and non-verbal messages: it is face-to-face communication. It is about what is said, how it is said, and the use of non-verbal communication through
Cleaning up down South: supermarkets, ethical trade and African horticulture is a piece by Susanne Freidberg published in Social and Cultural Geography journal in 2003 (Freidberg, 2003). Susanne Friedberg holds PhD from UC Berkely and is a Professor of Geography in Darmouth College, New Hampshire (“Susanne Freidberg,” n.d.). In the article the author argues that the ethical standards have become fetishised. The UK supermarkets compliance with such standards edges on paranoia. It does not mean that the supermarkets care about these standards from moral point of view but that the compliance is driven by fear of bad
In her article, “Sex, Lies and Conversation,” Deborah Tannen reveals how the lack of communication between couples are affecting their relationship, which is causing the divorce rate, in the United States, to be at an unimaginable rate of fifty percent. Tannen explains that it isn’t a particular gender’s fault for the failed communication between men and women, but it is the lack of knowledge of how the other gender communicates that’s at fault. She compares the expectations and styles of communication of both men and women to reveal how communication is truly “cross-cultural” between opposite sex. Styles of communication, body language, and the differences in listening styles are three main points that Tannen focuses on to demonstrate how
Communication is important in relationships as it allows us to share our interest, concerns, and support one other; organize our lives and make decisions. Communication allows us to work together. Effective communication is based on the way we talk and listen, and how we respond with our body language. We can all learn how to improve the way we communicate but it takes more than words to create a safe, exciting and secure relationship. Too often the signals we send are not those we intend, when this happens, often both connection and trust are lost in our relationships.
Listening is a very complicated skill that many people do not posses. It requires individuals to reflect and to admit to their flaws. In order to communicate effectively it is important to know when to talk and listen. Peterson’s book is an excellent tool to enhance all types of relationships.
Although many books have been written about communication and connection in relationships, there has been a book that addresses precisely this wonderful process as has James C. Petersen in his book: Why Don’t We Listen Better? And it is precisely the way in which the parts he divided the book that takes the reader to a better understanding of what the personal relationships connections through communications are concerned.
Communication is important in relationships as it allows us to share our interest, concerns, support each other; organize our lives and make decisions; and it allows us to work together. Effective communication is based on the way we talk and listen, how we respond and our body language. We can all learn how to improve the way we communicate.
Though interpersonal communication can be the element to effective communications linking you and your loved one, it can also influence how you and your loved one interrelate with one another by not being a good listener and amplifier. Hello my name is and I will be giving you with a bit of guidance in turn to keep and preserve a well-built strong bond.
Petersen, J. C. (2007). Why don't we listen better? Communicating and connecting in relationships. Lincoln City, Oregon: Petersen Publications.
In the first chapter of her book, You Just Don't Understand, Men and Women in Conversation, Deborah Tannen quotes, "...studies have shown that married couples that live together spend less than half an hour a week talking to each other...". (24) This book is a wonderful tool for couples to use for help in understanding each other. The two things it stresses most is to listen, and to make yourself heard. This book opened my eyes to the relationship I am in now, with a wonderful person, for about four years. It made me realize that most of our little squabble-like fights could have been avoided, if one or the other of us could sit down and
Communication is one of the most important aspects in romantic relationships and different communication styles can affect relationships differently. Relationships can be both positively and negatively affected depending on the level of communication between the partners.
Communication is the number one key to a good relationship. When there is no communication between both parties involved in the relationship, that is when the relationship fails whether it is a man and a woman, or a child trying to divorce his/her parents or friends cutting their ties forever.
Communication is a crucial part of our daily lives which can be interpreted in various ways. Although, many couples think they have no problems communicating with each other; however, the issue among genders still exists. Learning to talk and listen can improve relationships in many ways. Therefore, Deborah Tannen, John Gray, Susan Page, and John Gottman focused on improving communication skills between genders.
A Prominent saying state – “Good Communication is the key to a healthy relationship or marriage”; whether it may be verbal or non-verbal. Many marriages end up in divorce, because of neglecting to communicate