A way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding and trust is called ______ listening.

• A. Empathic
• B. Active
• C. Critical
• D. Reflective

Answer: (A)

Empathic listening centers on understanding both what the other person is saying and how they feel about it. When you listen empathically, you acknowledge the speaker’s emotions and viewpoint, which makes them feel heard and valued. That emotional connection is what builds mutual understanding and trust, because the speaker senses that you’re not just hearing words but also their experience.

Active listening is related and involves showing you’re engaged and confirming understanding, but it doesn’t inherently focus on the emotional side to the same depth as empathic listening. Critical listening is about evaluating or analyzing the message, which can create distance or defensiveness. Reflective listening—parroting back the someone’s words—helps with understanding, but empathic listening explicitly emphasizes recognizing and validating feelings, which most directly fosters trust and openness.

So, listening that improves mutual understanding and trust by attuning to both message and emotions is empathic listening.