Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space. There is an example at the beginning (0)
Example: 0 attacking/criticizing
GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY
A group of psychologists in Germany was (0) ___________ structuralism. Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Kohler, and Kurt Koffka were all interested (1) _______ perception, but particularly in certain tricks (2) _____ the mind plays on itself. Why, they asked, when we are shown a series of still pictures flashed (3) ______ a constant rate (e.g. movies or moving neon signs), (4) ______ the pictures seem to move? The eye sees only a series of still pictures. What makes us perceive motion? Phenomena (5) _______ these launched a new school of thought, Gestalt psychology. Translated from German, Gestalt (6) ______ whole or form. When applied (7) ______ perception, it refers to our tendency to see patterns, to distinguish an object from (8)_____ background, to complete a picture from a few cues. Like William James, the Gestalt psychologist rejected the structuralists attempt to break down perception and thought (9) ______ their elements. When we look at a tree, we see just that, a tree, (10) _______ a series of isolated leaves and branches. Gestalt psychology paved the way for the modern study of perception.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
ACTIVE LISTENING
Many individuals mistakenly believe that listening is the easiest part of the communication exchange and that communicating your message is the most difficult. Nothing could be further from the truth. Listening is hard work when done effectively. It requires focusing unwaveringly on the individuals speaking, thoughtfully considering what they are saying and how they are saying it, listening to your own internal reactions to the message, managing those reactions and trying to connect the various lines of reasoning that may unfold during a group discussion.
Good listeners use a number of techniques to increase their ability to hear what others are saying:
- Restating in their own words what they believe has been communicated (paraphrasing)
- Reflecting back the message using the speakers exact words. (mirroring)
- Making sure the message has been understood. Let me make sure I understand what youve said. It sounds to me like. (clarifying)
- Using body language and verbal cues to encourage the speaker to continue or expand. Tell me a bit more about what you are thinking. (encouraging)
- Using silence to allow time for messages to sink in, strong emotions to dissipate or a speaker to gather his or her thoughts. (being intentionally silent)
