The motivational value of listening during intimate and difficult conversations

Weinstein, N. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2200-6617, Itzchakov, G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1516-6719 and Legate, N. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8086-9643 (2022) The motivational value of listening during intimate and difficult conversations. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 16 (2). e12651. ISSN 1751-9004 doi: 10.1111/spc3.12651

Abstract/Summary

Abstract: Outcomes of conversations, including those dealing with controversial, deeply personal, or threatening disclosures, result not only from what is said but also from how listeners receive these messages. This article integrates the motivational framework of self‐determination theory (SDT) and the expanding literature on interpersonal listening to explore the reasons why high‐quality listening is so impactful during these conversations. We describe why high‐quality listening is a specific and distinguishable autonomy‐supportive motivational strategy, and argue that there is much to gain by considering that listening can satisfy basic psychological needs, in particular for autonomy and relatedness. We argue that SDT can help explain why high‐quality listening is effective, especially in reducing defensiveness, bridging divides, and motivating change. The discussion focuses on ways motivation science can build more effective interventions for behavioral change by harnessing listening as an interpersonal strategy.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/102215
Identification Number/DOI	10.1111/spc3.12651
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology
Uncontrolled Keywords	Emotion, REVIEW ARTICLE
Publisher	Wiley
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