ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the importance of students' response in facilitating effective interactions, the importance of responding ethically, the variety of response choices available to listeners, and the range of nonverbal elements that affect listening environments. It introduces common response styles the assertive response, supportive responses, the ways in which distance, time, and other nonverbal elements affect the listening environment. The chapter demonstrates assertive skills, applies supportive communication behaviors, using distance and timing to facilitate supportive listening environments. The nature of their verbal and nonverbal response is perhaps most powerful in interpersonal and small-group situations for which feedback is immediate and all participants are within close proximity. Responses on social media are also of note and present new and challenging questions. The chapter emphasizes repeatedly that personal style has a strong influence on listening behavior. Recall that high self-monitors, for instance, more readily adapt their communication behaviors in light of their perceptions of their partner's response.
