Chapter II: Listening

Abstract

LISTENING-the process of hearing, identifying, understanding, and interpreting spoken language-continued to receive considerable attention from researchers in the fields of speech, psychology, sociology, and linguistics. This chapter is limited to those studies clearly indicating an inquiry into the nature of the listening process and the application of techniques in listening instruction. The studies in appreciative listening to nonlanguage sounds are excluded as are those pieces of research dealing with the vast area of mass communication. The latter have a separate chapter in this issue. Whether we should use the term listening or the term auding is a matter for debate. An excellent case for the use of auding was made in the April 1955 issue of the REVIEW (7), but the matter has not been settled; popular usage is that of listening. The present writer does not wish to enter the discussion and will use the term listening submitted to him by the committee for this issue.