What does active listening involve besides hearing the words spoken?

Active listening goes beyond just hearing the words being spoken; it encompasses fully engaging with the speaker and understanding their message. This involves not only paying attention to the words but also using verbal and non-verbal cues to show engagement. Nodding and providing feedback are essential components of active listening as they indicate to the speaker that you are attentive and are processing the information being shared. This type of participation encourages a more meaningful dialogue and helps build rapport between the speaker and the listener, fostering better communication overall.

In contrast, planning your response while the other person is speaking distracts from the listening process, as it shifts focus away from their message. Making assumptions about the speaker’s intent can lead to misunderstandings, as it relies on preconceived notions rather than the speaker’s actual words. Lastly, waiting for your turn to speak also illustrates a passive approach rather than an active engagement, as it prioritizes your own response over the understanding of the speaker's message. Thus, actively listening includes providing feedback and demonstrating engagement, which is encapsulated in the correct choice.