Active listening

For smartphone surveillance, see Active Listening.

Active listening is the practice of preparing to listen, observing what verbal and non-verbal messages are being sent, and then providing appropriate feedback for the sake of showing attentiveness to the message being presented.[1]

Active listening is listening to understand.[2] This form of listening conveys a mutual understanding between speaker and listener. Speakers receive confirmation their point is coming across and listeners absorb more content and understanding by being consciously engaged. The overall goal of active listening is to eliminate any misunderstandings and establish clear communication of thoughts and ideas between the speaker and listener.[3] By actively listening to another person, a sense of belonging and mutual understanding between the two individuals is created.

The term "active listening" was introduced in 1957 by Carl Rogers and Richard Farson.[4][5] It may also be referred to as reflective listening.[3]

Active listening is being fully engaged while another person is talking to you. It is listening with the intent to understand the other person fully, rather than listening to respond. Active listening includes asking curious questions such as, "How did you feel?" or "What did you think?"[6]

  1. ^ "5.3 Improving Listening Competence". Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies. Open Textbook Library. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Libraries. 29 September 2016. doi:10.24926/8668.0401. ISBN 9781946135070. OCLC 953180972.
  2. ^ "Active Listening: Definition, Skills, Techniques & Exercises". The Berkeley Well-Being Institute. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  3. ^ a b Ferrara, M. H.; LaMeau, M. P. (2015). Life and Career Skills Series Vol. 4. Social Skills. pp. 54–59.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Levitt 2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Active Listening". The Decision Lab. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  6. ^ "The Phenomenological Attitude and the Stories All Around Us". books.byui.edu. Retrieved 2023-06-05.