Research Paper on:
Improvement Plan for Basic Listening Skills

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
Dr. Phillip McGraw (2003), televisions "Dr. Phil," says of psychologist Carl Rogers that the theorist taught several things with which Dr. Phil does not agree, but that he wholeheartedly agrees  with what Rogers taught about active listening skills. Rogers specific tools were Reflection of Content and Reflection of Feeling (McGraw, 2003). Both are crucial points of active listening.  Following is an outline for a plan to improve listening skills. I. Devote time to the exchange (Ten Ways to... Listen, 2005). A. Give the speaker time to complete  his message. B. Prevent interruptions from outside sources. C. Do not hurry the speaker if at all possible. II. Pay attention (Ten Ways to... Listen, 2005). A. Actively listen to  what the speaker is saying. Listening often becomes a passive activity, and the listener must ensure that s/he is actively listening to the speaker (Boyd, 2004). B. Maintain eye  contact with the speaker (Boyd, 2004). At meetings, sit directly in front of the speaker or at no more than a 45-degree angle in front of him. Eye  contact should be inevitable (Boyd, 2004). III. Give undivided attention to the speaker (Ten Ways to... Listen, 2005). A. The listener should mentally quiz himself as if he were going  to be asked to summarize the speakers message (Boyd, 2004). B. Look at the speaker, rather than allowing gaze to wander to a wall, out the window or to a  notepad containing unrelated information. IV. Do not interrupt the speaker (Ten Ways to... Listen, 2005). A. As stated, allow the speaker to complete a thought. B. The speaker needs to  be able to fully explain his position on a matter if he so chooses. V. Exhibit "Reflection of Content" (McGraw, 2003). A. Summarize what the speaker has said and repeat