What is the term for the practice of listening while also observing body language and facial expressions?

The correct answer is active listening. This concept involves fully concentrating on what is being said rather than just passively hearing the message of the speaker. Active listening means engaging not only with the words spoken but also with non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, which can convey a great deal of information about the speaker's feelings and intentions.

In active listening, the listener shows they are engaged in the conversation through verbal acknowledgments and appropriate body language, such as nodding or maintaining eye contact. This full engagement helps to foster a more trusting and open communication environment, allowing for better understanding and more effective interactions.

While passive listening may involve simply hearing the words without fully engaging or understanding the message, and reflective listening focuses on mirroring back what has been said to ensure understanding, neither captures the comprehensive practice of assessing both verbal and non-verbal cues that is essential in active listening. Engaged listening also emphasizes the same principles but is less commonly used as a formal term compared to active listening.