“i know just how you feel, when that exact same thing happened to me i was so angry, so i just told her exactly how i felt. you should do the same thing. it worked for me! ” this statement violates which of the principles of active listening?
a. validate emotions and paraphrase the speaker’s words.
b. remain ‘other-focused’ and validate emotions
c. avoid solving problems and remain ‘other’ focused
d. paraphrase the speaker’s words and avoid solving problems

The answer is C. The statement violates the principle of active listening, which is avoiding to solve problems and remaining “other” focused.

EXPLANATION

Active listening is a procedure that is usually used in psychology, either in an interview or a counseling session. Active listening that can also be applied is training, solving disputes, and conflicts. The meaning of active listening is actually being able to concentrate, respond, and understand what the other person is saying.  

Active listening is different from other listening techniques, like emphatic listening and reflective listening. Emphatic listening is giving people the outlet to let go of their feelings and emotions. They are able to share more and accept a new perspective on the troubling topic that caused their emotional instability. Listening skills are done with the flow, and not negative emotions, close-mindedness, that will induce frustration and stress.

On the other hand, active listening is also different to reflective listening. Reflective listening refers to the way the listener repeats back what the speaker had just said, so there is no misunderstanding, and both people confirmed what just being said.  

Active listening needs to be done by observing the other person’s body language and behavior. We need to learn the capability to understand a person’s body language. The listener needs to have an accurate understanding of a speaker’s body language. The listener does not need to always agree with what the speaker is saying, but they just actively listening to it.

LEARN MORE

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, we recommend you to also take a look at the following questions:

Listening and rethorical strategies:

First step of basic listening:

KEYWORD: active listening, principle, listener, emphatic listening, reflective listening  

Subject: Social Studies

Class: 10-12

Subchapter: Active Listening

answer; authoritative;