In a group discussion, active listeners
A. form their own opinions and responses.
B. talk, ready or not, whenever they can jump in.
C. start talking as soon as they disagree.
D. focus just on their own ideas as others speak.
To determine the correct answer, let's break down the question and each option:
The question asks about the behavior of active listeners in a group discussion. Active listeners are individuals who actively engage with the conversation by paying attention, understanding the speaker's message, and providing feedback.
Option A: "Form their own opinions and responses."
This option suggests that active listeners actively process the information presented in the discussion and develop their own perspectives or conclusions while listening. This behavior aligns with the characteristics of active listening, as engaged listeners often form their opinions based on the information being shared.
Option B: "Talk, ready or not, whenever they can jump in."
This option indicates that active listeners may interrupt or interject their thoughts into the conversation, regardless of the timing or flow of the discussion. However, active listening involves giving others the opportunity to speak and not monopolizing the conversation. So, this option seems unlikely.
Option C: "Start talking as soon as they disagree."
This option suggests that active listeners immediately voice their disagreement when they hear something they don't agree with. However, active listening includes respectful and thoughtful communication, which may involve waiting for the appropriate moment to express disagreement. Therefore, this option may not accurately describe active listeners.
Option D: "Focus just on their own ideas as others speak."
This option implies that active listeners only concentrate on their own thoughts and ideas while others are talking, disregarding the information presented by others. However, active listening involves paying attention to and valuing the contributions of others, rather than being solely focused on oneself. Thus, this option is unlikely to be correct.
Based on the analysis above, the most appropriate answer would be:
A. Form their own opinions and responses.
In a group discussion, active listeners actively process the information, understand the speaker's message, and formulate their own opinions and responses based on what is being shared. They do this while also maintaining respectful and considerate communication by allowing others to speak and not monopolizing the conversation.