Evaluations are best reserved for value clarifications and in relationships of some duration. The only way to really develop any skill is through practice, either mental imagery, or in action. The following fishbowl technique is designed to familiarize you with the U.P.S.I.E. i.e., understanding, probing, support, interpretative, and evaluative listening responses and to give you practice in using them. Part of the fun in developing any skill is to experience the different style each of us uses and to note the tremendous variety of our responses. Fish Bowl Technique Form a group of two, or more, or join in a chat room which is available, and practice using the reposes.
Observers give feedback to role players and tabulate the percentage of each response.
Time yourself for about 15 minutes and record ,or have an observer, record the type of listening response used during the time. Tally the total number of verbal responses used. Now indicate which type of responses were most frequently used and which were least. You may wish to use the following table to assist you in recording the responses.