Which type of listening is primarily focused on understanding the speaker's message and feelings?

Empathetic listening is centered around fully understanding and connecting with the speaker's message and emotions. This type of listening goes beyond simply hearing the words; it involves actively engaging with the speaker to grasp their feelings and perspectives. It requires the listener to put themselves in the speaker's shoes, fostering a deeper emotional connection and encouraging an environment of trust and openness.

This approach is particularly important in contexts such as counseling, negotiation, or any situation where emotions play a significant role. By prioritizing the speaker's feelings, empathetic listeners can respond in a way that acknowledges the speaker's emotional state, which can lead to more effective communication and resolution of issues.

Other types of listening, such as critical listening, are more analytical and focused on assessing the validity of the information presented rather than understanding the speaker's feelings. Informational listening is geared towards gathering information and facts, which may not require an emotional connection. Selective listening involves focusing on specific parts of the message while ignoring others, which does not facilitate a thorough understanding of the speaker's emotions or the entirety of their communication.