Intrapersonal Communication and Listening Goals: An Examination of Attributes and Functions of Imagined Interactions and Active-Empathic Listening Behaviors

Abstract

Using data from 485 college student participants, this study investigated relations among mental representations of conversations and reported tendencies towards active-empathic listening (AEL). Results showed that low usage of imagined interactions (IIs) for rehearsal and self-understanding and high usage of IIs as compensation were associated with lower reported active-empathic responding. In describing IIs, low levels of proactivity and variety were associated with lower reported AEL processing and responding, suggesting individuals who do not engage in IIs before conversations or imagine a variety of potential conversations to gain understanding do not report engaging in behaviors that act to acknowledge partners in conversation. The primary contribution of these findings is to forward an empirical integration of social cognitive and listening research and theory.