What is meant by "empathic listening"?

Empathic listening refers to the practice of actively listening to another person with the intention of understanding their feelings, thoughts, and perspectives. It involves a supportive approach, where the listener seeks to connect with the speaker emotionally, providing them with a sense of validation and understanding. This type of listening is crucial in creating a safe environment for open communication, as it allows the speaker to express themselves freely, knowing that their emotions are recognized and valued.

This approach differs from other types of listening. For instance, listening for evaluation and criticism focuses more on assessing the content rather than understanding the speaker's emotional state. Similarly, listening passively without engagement does not involve any active effort to connect with or support the speaker, which defeats the purpose of empathic listening. Lastly, listening to gather information for research is primarily task-oriented and analytical, which also contrasts with the supportive and emotional connection central to empathic listening. Hence, choosing the option that highlights listening to support or help the speaker accurately captures the essence of what empathic listening entails.