This paper analyzes the concept of active listening from two epistemological perspectives: as a disposition and as a technique, showing that although they are different, they are interrelated and can be either complementary or irreconcilable, depending on the theoretical approach adopted. Active listening as a disposition is related to the internal attitudes of the therapist or facilitator, such as authenticity, empathy, and unconditional acceptance—characteristic of humanistic psychotherapy. This approach values the human encounter and the relationship as ends in themselves. In contrast, active listening as a technique refers to observable behaviors (such as paraphrasing or emotional validation), typical of models focused on problem-solving and behavioral change. From this perspective, active listening is a means to achieve specific goals. The article proposes applying the concept of ...

This paper analyzes the concept of active listening from two epistemological perspectives: as a disposition and as a technique, showing that although they are different, they are interrelated and can be either complementary or irreconcilable, depending on the theoretical approach adopted. Active listening as a disposition is related to the internal attitudes of the therapist or facilitator, such as authenticity, empathy, and unconditional acceptance—characteristic of humanistic psychotherapy. This approach values the human encounter and the relationship as ends in themselves. In contrast, active listening as a technique refers to observable behaviors (such as paraphrasing or emotional validation), typical of models focused on problem-solving and behavioral change. From this perspective, active listening is a means to achieve specific goals. The article proposes applying the concept of ...