Listen to resonate: Better listening as a gateway to interpersonal positivity resonance through enhanced sensory connection and perceived safety

Zhou, Jidong; Fredrickson, Barbara L.

doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101669

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Episodic listening theory (Kluger & Itzchakov, 2022) theorizes that listening creates a psychological experience of “togetherness”—an experience of interpersonal chemistry (Reis et al, 2022) and social connection (Zhou & Fredrickson, 2023). Togetherness is a psychological state in which a person perceives the world from a state of connection and a collective standpoint (Rossignac-Milon et al, 2021).…”

Section: Listening In the Context Of Disagreementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Listening to understand: The role of high-quality listening on speakers’ attitude depolarization during disagreements.

Itzchakov,

Weinstein,

Leary

et al. 2024

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

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Disagreements can polarize attitudes when they evoke defensiveness from the conversation partners. When a speaker talks, listeners often think about ways to counterargue. This process often fails to depolarize attitudes and might even backfire (i.e., the Boomerang effect). However, what happens in disagreements if one conversation partner genuinely listens to the other's perspective? We hypothesized that when conversation partners convey high-quality listening-characterized by attention, understanding, and positive intentions-speakers will feel more socially comfortable and connected to them (i.e., positivity resonance) and reflect on their attitudes in a less defensive manner (i.e., have self-insight). We further hypothesized that this process reduces perceived polarization (perceived attitude change, perceived attitude similarity with the listener) and actual polarization (reduced attitude extremity). Four experiments manipulated poor, moderate, and high-quality listening using a video vignette (Study 1) and live interactions (Studies 2-4). The results consistently supported the research hypotheses and a serial mediation model in which listening influences depolarization through positivity resonance and nondefensive self-reflection. Most of the effects of the listening manipulation on perceived and actual depolarization generalized across indicators of attitude strength, specifically attitude certainty and attitude morality. These findings suggest that high-quality listening can be a valuable tool for bridging attitudinal and ideological divides.

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Section: Listening In the Context Of Disagreementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Listening to understand: The role of high-quality listening on speakers’ attitude depolarization during disagreements.

Itzchakov,

Weinstein,

Leary

et al. 2024

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

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“…We consider positivity resonance, a collective experience indicative of high-quality social interactions and strengthening social bonds, as another desired social outcome of these adaptive strategies. Aligned with Positivity Resonance Theory, adaptive strategies such as self-disclosure that conveys authenticity and openness (Zhou & Fredrickson, 2023), trust (West et al, under review), and emotion expressivity can facilitate the emergence of positivity resonance (Fredrickson, 2016). We predict that members of higher relational mobility societies, like the United States (who presumably use these adaptive strategies more frequently), will experience greater positivity resonance compared with members of lower relational mobility societies, such as South Korea and Japan.…”

Section: Relational Mobilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Do People From Different Cultures Vary in How Much Positive Emotions Resonate in Day-to-Day Social Interactions? Examining the Role of Relational Mobility

Zhou,

West,

Lee

et al. 2024

Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology

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Positivity resonance, defined as a co-experienced kind-hearted positive emotion, is commonly observed to strengthen relationships in the United States. However, it is unclear whether levels of positivity resonance differ across cultures. Prior research suggests that in cultures that are perceived as offering more freedom and choice in social ties (defined as high relational mobility cultures), individuals more frequently engage in adaptive strategies to build relationships. We hypothesized that positivity resonance, achieved via such adaptive strategies, might be similarly linked to cultural variation in relational mobility. Across two studies ( N = 5,711) we found supportive evidence for our prediction that, compared with European American participants, East Asian participants showed lower levels of positivity resonance with strong social ties. Such differences were in part explained by lower levels of perceived relational mobility among East Asian participants. Comparable effects were not present for weak social ties. Implications for theories of culture and emotion are discussed.

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The feedforward interview: A theoretical account

Rechter,

Kluger,

Nir

2025

Human Resource Management Review

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Listen to resonate: Better listening as a gateway to interpersonal positivity resonance through enhanced sensory connection and perceived safety

Cited by 5 publications

References 49 publications

Listening to understand: The role of high-quality listening on speakers’ attitude depolarization during disagreements.

Listening to understand: The role of high-quality listening on speakers’ attitude depolarization during disagreements.

Do People From Different Cultures Vary in How Much Positive Emotions Resonate in Day-to-Day Social Interactions? Examining the Role of Relational Mobility

The feedforward interview: A theoretical account

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