Putting the Logos to Work: A Reply to Meyer

Abstract

Journalist Janet Malcolm recently published several articles and a book in which she accused her own profession of manipulation and deceit in its listening and interviewing practices. Specifically, she focused on the Jeffrey MacDonald murder case, on which Joe McGinniss' book, Fatal Vision, was based. McGinniss, she claimed, fostered a close and seemingly empathic relationship with the accused in order to betray him later—and in this event Malcolm saw the prototypical journalist-interviewee relationship. Her accusations about the role of journalism raised intense professional scrutiny. This essay examines the case from the standpoint of journalistic listening. Are the temptations for deceptive or “slanted” empathy inherent in the journalistic interview? Does the journalist have a responsibility not only to listen to the person being interviewed, but to “listen” equally well to the demands of a developing story—as if it, too, were a living entity? Do ethical standards within journalism demand that an interviewer's listening style, especially as it is seen in empathic behavior, be congruent with his or her unexpressed conclusions?     

Instructor Active Empathic Listening and Classroom Incivility

Instructor listening skill is an understudied area in instructional communication research. This study looks at teachers’ active empathic listening behavior association with student incivility. Scholars recognize student incivility as a growing problem and have called for research that identifies classroom behaviors that can affect classroom climate. A total of N = 434 undergraduate students were surveyed about their observations of student incivility in their classes, their perceptions of their instructor’s use of active empathic listening and nonverbal involvement, class size, instructor gender, and estimated instructor age. After controlling for nonverbal involvement, instructor age, instructor gender, and class size, results suggest active empathic listening associates negatively with three types of classroom incivility. Both class size and instructor nonverbal immediacy also emerged as predictors of student incivility.     

Divorce and Coparenting: A Qualitative Study on Family Mediation in Italy

This qualitative study intended to assess how intergenerational transformative family mediation is a resource in promoting and supporting coparenting during the transition of divorce. There were 2 goals: to assess parents’ perceptions of key topics of family mediation and to compare their perceptions concerning different moments of the intervention. Fifteen Italian parents were interviewed using an ad hoc semistructured interview. Data were analyzed using the textual analysis software T-LAB. Findings showed mediator, pragmatic aspects, and family relationships as the most salient aspects of mediation. Significant differences emerged among the beginning, the middle phase, and the end of this intervention.     

Factors Underlying Supervisors' Perceptions of Their Own Listening Behavior

The study reported here is an exploratory factor analysis of supervisors' perceptions of their own listening behavior. A forty item questionnaire was developed to assess supervisors' perceptions of their on the job listening behaviors. Seven first order factors were identified as underlying these perceptions: attending, clarifying, responding, discriminating and evaluating, recalling, affiliating and accomodating. In addition, two second-order factors were found to undergird the seven factor structure: listening to gain information accurately and listening to create a supportive interpersonal environment     

Attachment Style,Vagal Tone,and Empathy During Mother–Adolescent Interactions

We tested associations among empathic responsiveness, attachment style, and vagal tone (a physiologic index of emotion regulation) in 103 mother–adolescent dyads. Dyads discussed positive and negative topics and then separately reviewed a videotape of the interaction and rated their own and the other person's affect at one‐minute intervals. We used multilevel modeling to analyze the association between one's rating of the other person's affect and the other person's affect (empathic sensitivity), and the association between one's rating of the other person's affect and one's own affect (perceived concordance). Adolescents’ empathic responsiveness was predicted by attachment style, vagal tone, and interactions between them. Adolescents with the greatest empathic responsiveness had low levels of attachment insecurity and high levels of vagal tone.     

Tuning into performance and satisfaction in nonprofit orchestras: One link between transformational leadership and satisfaction is through reduction in conflict

In this study, we tested hypotheses concerning volunteers' not‐for‐profit work, specifically the relations of transformational leadership with performance and satisfaction as well as the question of how task and relationship conflict fit into these relations. We argue that conflicts are detrimental to satisfaction and performance and that the frequency of conflict can be reduced through transformational leadership. We analyzed data from a large sample of lay orchestra musicians (N = 1,535) and found that musicians' perceptions of their conductors' transformational leadership style were positively related to both the performance and satisfaction of the musicians. Furthermore, we found that conflict mediated the relation between transformational leadership and satisfaction to some extent. The mediation occurred via the frequencies of both task and relationship conflicts even though the frequency of conflict was quite low in this sample in general.     

Work–Family Conflict and Perceived Justice as Mediators of Outcomes of Women's Multiple Workload

Negative impacts of work–family conflicts and the imbalanced division of family work on women's relationship satisfaction and well-being have gained substantial attention from the literature over the last years. The current research adds to the literature by testing the experience of work–family conflicts and perceived justice in the division of family work as possible mediators between women's workloads resulting from the familial and professional tasks and women's relationship satisfaction and well-being. The analysis involves both work-to-family and family-to-work conflicts as well as perceptions of procedural and distributive justice in the division of family work. Structural equation modeling analyses of data were performed with a sample of 1,512 women from dual-earner couples with young children taken from seven European countries. Results support the importance of women's family-to-work conflict and perceptions of justice of childcare and household labor as mediator variables between family workloads, relationship satisfaction, and well-being. Time spent on paid work proved to have an effect on women's well-being, via work-to-family conflict.     

Impasses of Divorce: Neither Together Nor Apart

This paper looks at one type of intervention that has made it possible to help separating couples, given to irrationality and engaged in protracting disputes over their children, become more rational parents, capable of using mediation as a method of dispute resolution. The central theoretical formulation in this intervention is the divorce transition impasse. The process involved in overcoming the impasse combines a therapeutic and counselling effort with the mediation. One counsellor/mediator coordinates both phases of the process, by first assessing the impasse and then shifting the factors that created it and moving on to negotiation and implementation of the agreement made. A case seen by the author is presented to illustrate the phases of intervention and the strategies used in each phase. The possibility is raised that this type of intervention offered by specialised counsellor/mediators might prove to the Family Court's advantage in dealing with potentially complex cases, such as access enforcement cases and some ex-nuptial children disputes.     

Using Computer Aided Interactive Video Technology to Provide Experiential Learning for Mediation Trainees

Participation in experiential learning activities enhances new mediator competence. There are numerous ways to provide such activities in higher education and private training settings. None of the existing modes of experiential learning (e.g., roleplay, case study analysis, or supervise practicum) is without limitation, however. And, no single way mode appeals to every learner or is compatible with his/her learning style. By using a variety of experiential teaching approaches, mediation educators and trainers may maximize the benefit of instruction, thereby improving the performance quality of new practitioners. This article attempts to heighten the readers' awareness of computer aided interactive video (CAIV) technology and its suitability for providing experiential learning opportunities for divorce mediation students and trainees. The process of designing and developing a CAIV instructional program for such use is described. The procedures for, and positive results of, field testing the program are high- lighted.     

Direct and Indirect Influences of Fate Control Belief,Gambling Expectancy Bias,and Self-Efficacy on Problem Gambling and Negative Mood Among Chinese College Students: A Multiple Mediation Analysis

A multiple mediation model was proposed to integrate core concepts of the social axioms framework and the social cognitive theory in order to understand gambling behavior. It was hypothesized that the influence of general fate control belief on problem gambling and negative mood would be mediated by gambling-specific beliefs. Data from 773 Chinese college recreational gamblers were collected. The bootstrapping procedure was used to test the multiple mediation hypotheses. Significant indirect effects of fate control belief on problem gambling and negative mood through two gambling-specific mediators were found. Gambling expectancy bias was a more salient mediator than gambling self-efficacy. Fate control belief was also found to have a significant direct effect on negative mood. In general, a high level of general fate control belief was related to greater gambling expectancy bias and lower self-efficacy in resisting gambling, which were in turn related to problem gambling and negative mood. Limitations and implications of the study were discussed.     

The Impact of Organizational Structure and Supervisory Listening Indicators on Subordinate Support,Trust, Intrinsic Motivation,and Performance

A field study of a tool manufacturing organization examined the impact of supervisory listening indicators on subordinate perceptions of support, trust, and intrinsic motivation and on subordinate performance (productivity and absenteeism). The moderating impact of organizational structure was also investigated. The results indicated that the impact of supervisory listening indicators was very different dependent upon whether the structure of the organizational work group was more mechanistic or more organic. Within the more organic portions of the organization, supportive listening indicators were positively related to production and negatively related to absenteeism. The opposite occurred within the mechanistic levels. At all levels, perceived listening increased supportiveness, trust, and intrinsic motivation, although listening for accuracy had the strongest impact.     

Do You Ever Listen?: Discovering the Theoretical Underpinnings of Empathic Listening

The communication skill first learned and used the most, listening still remains one of our least competent abilities. Although communication scholars have researched listening, one critical aspect continually remains neglected, empathic listening. This study investigates the historical research on empathic listening, identihing three theoretical and definitional notions: (1) active emotional commitment, (2) acceptance of role-taking as a necessity, and (3) identification with the other. Despite the definitional and theoretical underpinnings of empathic listening, the need for further studies by communication scholars is still warranted.     

Revisiting the Listening Styles Profile (LSP-16): A Confirmatory Factor Analytic Approach to Scale Validation and Reliability Estimation

The Listening Styles Profile (LSP-16) was developed to measure an individual's preferred listening style. One frequent criticism of the LSP-16 is the consistently low estimates of internal consistency. The following study addresses this concern using confirmatory factor analysis to assess both the latent constructs of the scale (i.e., People, Content, Action, Time) and the scale's reliability. Results suggest that listening style is multidimensional; however, additional scale development is needed to increase subscale reliability estimates. Suggestions for future research and development are provided.     

The Influence of Perceived Supervisor Listening Behavior on Employee Commitment

This study seeks to examine the influence of perceived supervisor listening on employee commitment in an organization. Research suggests that in today's organizations managers spend the largest percentage of their time listening, followed by speaking, reading, and writing. Although training addresses speaking and public presentations, interpreting technical reports, and instruction in technical writing, little has been done to either research or train listening skills.

Listening research has primarily focused on listening measurements and assessment (see Rhodes, Watson & Barker, 1990), and identification of specific behaviors associated with listening (see Lobdell & Gluc, 1990). Few studies have examined listening in the organizational setting (see Husband, Cooper, & Monsour, 1988; Husband, Schenck, & Cooper, 1988). A study by Husband, Cooper, and Monsour (1988), explored the initial question of supervisor's perceptions of their own listening behaviors in organizations. Further research by Husband, Schenck, and Cooper (1988) suggests that the subordinate's perception of supervisory listening may be different than the supervisor's actual listening behavior or the supervisor's perception of their own listening behavior. They found that subordinates did not feel at ease when communicating with their supervisors, and that the subordinates perceived that their supervisors were unwilling to listen to them.

As Husband, et al. (1988) suggests, there could be many starting points at which to address organizational listening. Based on some of the findings in their research, supervisor-subordinate listening seems to offer a logical beginning. The supervisor-subordinate relationship represents an essential link in the organizational structure (see Jablin, 1979). Given their argument, if subordinates differ in their perceptions of supervisory listening behavior, and perceive their supervisor's listening negatively, there may be a direct influence on their commitment to their jobs or the organization as a whole. This study attempts to determine the influence of perceived supervisor listening on employee commitment to the organization.

The respondents were 225 occupational employees and 53 managerial employees in a large southwestern utility company. The survey was a 69 item organizational listening questionnaire developed by Arnold (1989). The questionnaire was broken down into four dimensions: (1) feelings about the organization, (2) perception of relationship with supervisor, (3) perception of own communication behavior, and (4) organizational listening behaviors.     

Parent and Stepparent Support and Psychological Control in Remarried Families and Adolescent Empathic Concern

Abstract

Using a symbolic interaction perspective, this study examined the extent to which (a) perceptions of parent/stepparent support were positively related to adolescent empathic concern and (b) perceptions of parent/stepparent psychological control mediated this relationship. Participants were a convenience sample of 72 ninth and tenth grade adolescents residing in remarried family households who completed self-report questionnaires. Results showed that adolescent girls in remarried family households who perceived their residential parent as more supportive reported greater empathic concern and that the relationship was mediated by perceptions of parent psychological control.     

PM effect size estimation for mediation analysis: a cautionary note,alternate strategy,and real data illustration

As research on mediation has grown, so too has interest in identifying ways to assess the size of indirect effects in a mediation analysis. One such estimate – the ratio of the indirect effect to the total effect (P_M) – was tested in a sample of 21,297 children from the Early Childhood Developmental Study. Results showed that the two independent variables – low self-control and externalizing behavior – correlated equally well with a common mediator (mathematical thinking). Moreover, the two pathways shared the same mediator and dependent variable (subsequent externalizing behavior). Despite this, P_M was three times larger in the self-control-initiated pathway than in the externalizing-initiated pathway, based on a stronger correlation between prior and subsequent externalizing behavior than between low self-control and externalizing behavior. The comparison pathways approach, where pathways mediated by mathematical reasoning are contrasted with pathways mediated by a control variable (general knowledge), is offered as an alternative to effect size measurement in mediation research.     

Listening Environment and the Bottom Line: How a Positive Environment Can Improve Financial Outcomes

Amidst the onslaught of communication at work, employees’ voices can be neglected in favor of the bottom line. This research initiates an exploration of the relationship between employee perceptions of the listening environment at work and organizational financial performance indicators. In this exploratory pilot study, we collected data from N = 65 employees of a single firm with multiple geographically and financially independent units. Using simple regression analysis, researchers compared data between units to determine if employee perceptions of positive qualities of the listening climate are related to improvement in sales and net income. Results suggest a potentially positive relationship between employees’ perceptions of a positive listening environment and these organizational performance indicators, suggesting that listening is an important step in building the communication climate of a productive company.     

Why resilient workers perform better: The roles of job satisfaction and work engagement

Previous studies have confirmed correlations between resilience and job performance, but surprisingly little is known about the nature of this relationship. This study sheds light on the roles of two important positive dimensions of work-related well-being: job satisfaction and work engagement. Data were collected from 360 Czech workers in helping professions using an online survey. Levels of resilience and perceived job performance were indeed positively associated. Using structural equation modeling, the best-fitting model showed partial mediation by work engagement; conversely, job satisfaction was not found to be a mediator of this relationship. Additionally, the finding that job performance is related more strongly to work engagement than to job satisfaction contributes to the debate about the concurrent validity of job attitudes.