Practical Book Review of Petersen Text
Practical Book Review of Petersen Text
Lori Edwards Azuru
Liberty University
Summary
James Petersen (2007) illustrates an innovative way of communicating in the book, Why Don’t We Listen Better? Communicating and Connecting in Relationships. This book is divided into five sections. In part one Petersen (2007) discusses the “Flat-Brain Theory of Emotions” (p. 10-11). This is his way of explaining what occurs when one is overcome with emotions, and can no longer communicate with clarity. Petersen (2007) then illustrates in his book what he envisions to be the stomach (emotions), heart (objectives and interpretations), and the head (which is where we draw our logical conclusions), to resemble. Flat brain occurs when one’s stomach is filled to capacity with uncomfortable emotions and feelings (Petersen, 2007). This in return then upwardly impacts the heart, resulting in squashing the brain; therefore causing it to go flat. He then reminds the reader that one has a choice to become defensive, and be overtaken by this phenomenon, or to collaborate with those who are involved, to bring about a positive outcome. In part two, “the talker listening process”, is how Petersen (2007) describes the method of relieving the symptoms of flat brain; this process involves “taking turns talking and listening” (p. 49). Petersen (2007) also discusses “stomach talk”, meaning that one is only allowed to share his or her own insecurities, rather than blaming others (p. 78). He warns his readers that “sharing and thinking is risky business”, however, worth it in exchange for a more cherished relationship (p. 82). Petersen (2007) then uses the recipe of “two parts personal and one part logical”, to balance the scales of communication (p. 85). In part three Petersen (2007), introduces several “listening techniques” to
Lori Edwards Azuru
Liberty University
Summary
James Petersen (2007) illustrates an innovative way of communicating in the book, Why Don’t We Listen Better? Communicating and Connecting in Relationships. This book is divided into five sections. In part one Petersen (2007) discusses the “Flat-Brain Theory of Emotions” (p. 10-11). This is his way of explaining what occurs when one is overcome with emotions, and can no longer communicate with clarity. Petersen (2007) then illustrates in his book what he envisions to be the stomach (emotions), heart (objectives and interpretations), and the head (which is where we draw our logical conclusions), to resemble. Flat brain occurs when one’s stomach is filled to capacity with uncomfortable emotions and feelings (Petersen, 2007). This in return then upwardly impacts the heart, resulting in squashing the brain; therefore causing it to go flat. He then reminds the reader that one has a choice to become defensive, and be overtaken by this phenomenon, or to collaborate with those who are involved, to bring about a positive outcome. In part two, “the talker listening process”, is how Petersen (2007) describes the method of relieving the symptoms of flat brain; this process involves “taking turns talking and listening” (p. 49). Petersen (2007) also discusses “stomach talk”, meaning that one is only allowed to share his or her own insecurities, rather than blaming others (p. 78). He warns his readers that “sharing and thinking is risky business”, however, worth it in exchange for a more cherished relationship (p. 82). Petersen (2007) then uses the recipe of “two parts personal and one part logical”, to balance the scales of communication (p. 85). In part three Petersen (2007), introduces several “listening techniques” to