Which of the following best describes the role of active listening?

Active listening is defined as fully focusing on the speaker and their message. This involves not just hearing the words, but also understanding the emotional context and the intent behind them. When you practice active listening, you give your complete attention to the speaker, which encourages open communication and fosters a deeper understanding of their thoughts and feelings. This process may include nodding, maintaining eye contact, and providing verbal feedback to show that you are engaged and interested.

The other options suggest behaviors that do not align with the principles of active listening. For instance, responding immediately without reflection can lead to misunderstandings, as it bypasses the necessary processing of the speaker’s message. Analyzing content for faults puts a focus on critique rather than understanding, which can hinder empathetic communication. Similarly, waiting for your turn to speak indicates that you are not fully present in the conversation, as it prioritizes your own response over the speaker's message.