Topic 5: Wrap-Up
In 1928 a study was conducted on daily communication habits across the U.S. In the study, communication times were divided in the following ways:
- 45% listening
- 30% speaking
- 16% reading
- 9% writing
The study was repeated in 1975 and showed an increase in listening while all the others were reduced:
- 54.93% listening
- 23.19% speaking
- 13.27% listening
- 8.61% writing
In 1983 American’s Use of Time TV Project found that 38% of our free time was devoted to TV while reading a book, newspaper or magazine accounted for less than 10% our time.
With the rise in availability and use of technology, one can assume that screen use numbers are even higher than they were in 1983. This means our other communication skills are getting squeezed out. Couple this shift with less physical movement of our bodies, one has to wonder what the impact is on the structure of the brain and on our ability to develop and use language.
- Rankin, Paul. The importance of listening ability. English Journal (college ed) 2 (nov 1981 pp 623-630)
- Werner, Elyse. A Study in Communication Time. Master Thesis. Unpublished. College Park, MD. University of Maryland 1975
- American’s Use of Time TV Project. Ann Arbor MI: Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research 1993