Controlled dialogue

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The Controlled dialogue is an exercise from the group dynamics , is practiced by the precise speaking and listening carefully. The aim is to become more intelligible in communication .

target

This exercise is used to make communication disorders clear and to improve understanding. In particular, it is about training in attentiveness and perception, in precise expression, and in listening closely .

When communicating with others, the listener is very often preoccupied with his own thoughts, only hears what he already knows or wants to hear, remembers his own stories and experiences and wanders inwardly, judges and evaluates what he has heard, thinks about what he wants to tell himself, is already developing a strategy for responding, or is busy with completely different things. In doing so, he misses essential content of what has been said.

But the speaker is also often inattentive, expresses himself imprecisely or confused, presupposes things that are not yet known or familiar to the listener, speaks regardless of the receptivity of the other person.

It is often assumed that what was said was heard and understood. But that is seldom the case. Accordingly, many misunderstandings and conflicts arise from this. The exercise shows how difficult precise communication is and improves it.

procedure

Roles A, B and C are distributed in groups of three. A and B choose a topic and then talk about it for 15 minutes. The exercise lasts 45 minutes plus the evaluation.

A begins with a sentence, preferably with a thesis.
B repeats in his own words what he has understood.
A checks whether what is repeated corresponds to what he meant. If so, then he confirms with "correct". If B has forgotten or distorted something, he answers with "wrong".
B now repeats in his own words what he understood about this first sentence.
If A still feels misunderstood, A repeats his own statement again.
A and B work on a sentence until A feels clearly understood by B.
Only then can B answer with a sentence of his own. And A then repeats this answer. Possibly. The above procedure is repeated until B feels understood.
C is an observer and only makes sure that the rules of the game are observed. The roles are changed after 15 minutes.

(With shorter deadlines, the exercise can be made a little more exciting for those involved. Defining a recognized controversial topic with controversial positions could also help.)

See also

literature