Different Kinds of Responses
There are 4 types of responses that we can have when listening to someone who is telling us some positive news they have recently experienced. These are shown in the boxes below:
Active and Constructive Responding
Active and constructive responding is a style of communication that can be utilised when forming relationships and building upon current positive relationships. Research suggests that when we are receiving good news from another person it is important to use active, constructive responding, all of the other responses were not significant in improving relationships.rnrnThese response styles have associated types of communication both verbal and non-verbal. Verbal: Enthusiastic, excited, asks questions and relives the experience with you. Keeps conversation going. Non-verbal: Eye contact, smiling, positive emotions.
Active and Constructive
- Enthusiastic, excited, asks questions and relives the experience with you. Keeps conversations going.
- Non-verbal: eye contact, smiling, positive emotions.
- Welcome diversions. The most rewarding adventures often start with an unexpected detour. Perhaps that distraction will guide you onward.
Passive and Constructive
- Brief and fleeting positive acknowledgement of good news.
- Verbal: Understated support. Not much dialogue.
- Non-verbal: May smile in acknowledgement but not much emotional expression.
Passive and Destructive
- Changes the conversation.
- Verbal: Avoidance. Disinterested.
- Non-verbal: No eye contact. Turns away.Leaves the room.
Active and Destructive
- Raises alarm bells.
- Verbal: Devil’s advocate. Points out what might go wrong.
- Non-verbal: Frowning. Looks worried. Negative emotion.
Discover More
Look at the scenario below as Monica is telling her friend about her positive experience of bumping into Sally. Have a think about which type of response they are demonstrating and when you’re ready click the boxes to reveal the answer.
‘I bumped into my friend Sally today. It was so good to see her. We ended up spending the whole afternoon together.’
Active Constructive Responding (402.12kB)
Consider more:
u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003e1) Spend a few minutes thinking about what it feels like to give and receive these responses?u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003e2) Do you notice which style of responding you currently use the most?u003c/pu003e
You might want to make notes at this point. These may help you remember things, work out what you want or see how much you’ve changed if you read them again in a few years’ time.