What kind of listening involves active or reflective engagement with the speaker?

Empathetic listening is the kind of listening that involves active or reflective engagement with the speaker. This form of listening goes beyond merely hearing the words that are spoken; it requires the listener to fully understand and appreciate the speaker’s feelings, emotions, and perspectives. By doing so, empathetic listeners create a supportive environment that encourages open expression. This engagement often includes acknowledging the speaker’s feelings, providing feedback, and responding in a way that conveys understanding and validation.

In contrast, passive listening does not involve such active participation and may result in misunderstandings or superficial engagement. Critical listening, on the other hand, focuses on evaluating and analyzing the information being presented rather than on the speaker’s emotions. Informational listening is aimed at gathering and understanding information without the reflective engagement that characterizes empathetic listening. Thus, empathetic listening stands out due to its focus on connecting with the speaker on a deeper emotional level.