What are the five levels of listening?

The correct answer identifies the five levels of listening as Ignoring, Pretending, Selective listening, Attentive listening, and Active listening. This classification captures the varying degrees of engagement and responsiveness a listener may exhibit during a conversation.

Ignoring refers to the complete lack of attention, where the listener is not processing any information. Pretending involves a superficial acknowledgment of speech without genuine understanding, where the individual may nod or give verbal affirmations without actually comprehending the message. Selective listening occurs when the listener focuses on specific parts of the communication that interest them while disregarding other components. Attentive listening signifies a more engaged state where the listener consciously focuses on the speaker, demonstrating interest and willingness to understand the full context of the message. Finally, active listening is the highest level, characterized by full engagement, including feedback, clarification questions, and showing empathy towards the speaker's feelings and intentions.

This framework helps individuals understand the progression of listening skills and encourages the development of more effective communication strategies. The levels emphasize that listening is not just about hearing words but includes varying depths of processing and responding to information exchanged during interactions.