What aspect of listening involves interacting and responding to the speaker?

The correct answer is active listening, which is a communication technique that requires the listener to fully engage with the speaker. This involves not just hearing the words being said but also interacting and responding appropriately. Active listening fosters a mutual understanding and connection, as it encourages the listener to reflect on the speaker's message, ask clarifying questions, and provide thoughtful responses. This active engagement helps to demonstrate that the listener values the speaker's input and is genuinely interested in the conversation.

In contrast, paying attention refers primarily to the act of focusing on the speaker's words without necessarily engaging in a dialogue or providing feedback. Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another but does not explicitly require interaction or response to the speaker's message. Feedback, while crucial in conversations, often is a component of active listening but is more limited as it solely pertains to the responses given after listening, rather than the entire interactive process involved in active listening.