A new study shows greater “positivity resonance” occurs when the listener conveys high-quality listening—as opposed to “everyday” listening—during a speaker's account of their own strengths.
Can the way we listen transform relationships? A new peer-reviewed registered report explores this question by examining the effects of high-quality listening during conversations about character strengths.
“High-quality listening matters within many of life's relationships. It is the bedrock of constructive psychotherapy, effective coaching, thoughtful parenting, engaging management, and effective education and supervision,” says Tia Moin, the paper's lead author. The study—part of Guy Itzchakov and Netta Weinstein's research projects funded by Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF) through its Listening and Learning in a Polarized World priority—set out to “test the notion that high-quality listeners can aid speakers as they think about and discuss their strengths, and that the listeners can also benefit from such conversations.”
To do this, the researchers paired participants as speakers and listeners, assigning listeners to one of two conditions. High-quality listeners received training through a video that emphasized behaviors like active non-verbal engagement, asking open-ended questions, and offering validation. Moderate-quality listeners (or “everyday" listeners), by contrast, watched a “conscious speaking” video that focused on speaking intentionally rather than listening deeply. Each speaker was then asked to reflect on their personal character strengths, using prompts like, “Think back over the past week and describe experiences where your strengths were evident.” Conversations lasted six minutes and were designed to feel natural and comfortable, with no right or wrong answers.
Participants in the high-quality listening condition reported "positivity resonance" scores that were approximately 4% higher than those in the moderate-quality condition.
Positivity resonance refers to a shared sense of connection and mutual care that arises during moments of interpersonal harmony. It is characterized by feelings of warmth and mutual understanding, which strengthen relational bonds and create a sense of being "in sync'" with another person. These moments can foster closeness and emotional wellbeing for both speakers and listeners.
While both speakers and listeners benefited from the enhanced listening environment, the study found notable differences in how these effects manifested. Trained listeners reported feeling more motivated to continue practicing their high-quality listening skills in future interactions, indicating that listening with intention is not just helpful for others but deeply rewarding for the listener as well. However, speakers, though appreciative of the listening experience, did not show a corresponding increase in their intention to actively use their character strengths. This highlights the relational value of listening, independent of the topic discussed, as it fosters connection, mutual understanding, and emotional attunement between conversation partners.
Conducted as a registered report with pre-registered hypotheses and publicly accessible data, the study exemplifies transparency and reproducibility in psychological research. The study's design included multi-lab collaboration and extensive student participation.
These findings shine light on the importance of relational dynamics in character-based conversations. Whether in education, counseling, or coaching, high-quality listening can foster a deeper sense of connection and mutual positivity. By integrating such practices, professionals and individuals alike can create environments that nurture virtues like empathy and gratitude.
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