What is the purpose of "active listening" as a communication skill?

Active listening is a crucial communication skill that enables a listener to accurately hear and understand the thoughts and feelings of the speaker. This approach goes beyond simply hearing words; it involves fully engaging with what is being said, allowing the listener to grasp both the content and the emotional undertones of the message. By doing so, active listening fosters empathy and rapport, which are essential in building trust, particularly in mental health or correctional settings where individuals may be dealing with strong emotions or complex experiences.

When practitioners employ active listening, they demonstrate that they value the speaker's perspective, which can lead to more productive conversations. This skill encourages the speaker to open up further, sharing more about their feelings and experiences, which might not happen if they sensed they were not being heard or understood.

The other choices reflect less effective communication strategies. Memorizing what the offender says can be useful for record-keeping but does not facilitate understanding or empathy. Maintaining control of the conversation can alienate the speaker and hinder open communication, while summarizing information can be a helpful technique, it is not the primary essence of active listening. Active listening prioritizes comprehension and connection over control or memory, making it an essential skill in mental health contexts.