Active vs Passive Listening
The distinction between active and passive listening is based on the listener’s behavior towards the speaker. Listening is a crucial aspect of our daily lives, and it involves more than just hearing something; it also involves making sense of what we hear. There are two forms of listening: active listening and passive listening. Active listening occurs when the listener is fully engaged in what the speaker is saying, actively responding to the speaker, and participating in a two-way communication. In contrast, passive listening is when the listener’s attention is less focused on the speaker, and the communication is one-way, as the listener does not respond to the speaker. This article aims to highlight the differences between these two forms of listening.
What is Active Listening?
Active listening involves the listener being fully engaged and reacting to the ideas presented by the speaker. This reaction usually comes in the form of non-verbal cues, such as nodding, smiling, facial expressions in response to the speaker’s ideas, making eye contact, and so on. The listener can also ask questions, clarify ideas, and comment on certain points that have been presented. In active listening, the listener engages in analytical listening and deep listening, not just listening but also analyzing, evaluating, and assessing the ideas they hear.
In everyday life, we all become active listeners. For example, when listening to a friend, we not only listen but also react according to the situation. In counseling, active listening is considered a core skill that counselors must develop, allowing them to have a better relationship with their clients. Humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers stated that counselors should expand their active listening skills to include empathetic listening as well, which he defines as “entering the private perceptual world of the other.” This emphasizes that active listening enables the listener to fully engage in communication by not only understanding the speaker but also reacting to them.
What is Passive Listening?
Passive listening involves the listener merely listening without reacting to the speaker’s ideas. In this case, the listener makes no attempt to interrupt the speaker by asking questions or commenting on the ideas presented. This does not mean that the listener is not paying much attention to the speaker; on the contrary, they are listening but not reacting.
For example, imagine attending a seminar with hundreds of people. You are engaged in passive listening because there is less opportunity for two-way communication. The listener does not make eye contact and has limited opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification. However, passive listening can also be helpful. In counseling, it is believed that passive listening allows space for the client to express their bottled-up emotions.
Key Takeaways
- Active listening involves the listener being fully engaged, reacting to the ideas presented, and participating in a two-way communication.
- Passive listening involves the listener merely listening without reacting to the speaker’s ideas, and it is a one-way communication.
- Active listening requires more effort and involves analyzing, evaluating, and summarizing, while passive listening simply involves listening.
