Dimensions of professional listening competence in the legal context

AbstractWhen examining listening competence researchers have been interested primarily in the listening that takes place in personal relationships. This qualitative study (N = 113), focusing on courtroom communication and drawing on social cognitive theory (SCT), approaches listening from both theoretical and practical perspectives by examining the dimensions of professional listening competence, analyzing it from a taxonomic perspective, and examining the manner in which personal agency is used when applying professional listening competence. In addition, the role of professional listening competence in promoting well-being at work is discussed. The findings suggest that the emphasis placed on the dimensions of listening competence differs depending on whether general or professional listening competence is being examined. In the latter, the contextual dimension forms a strong basis that the other dimensions build on, whereas for general listening competence all dimensions are equally important. The agen...