What is a common reason why individuals do not listen effectively?

Individuals often fail to listen effectively because of prejudiced views. Prejudice can lead a person to dismiss or ignore the perspectives of others, resulting in a lack of engagement in the conversation. When someone approaches a discussion with preconceived notions or biases, they may not fully absorb the information being shared. This closed mindset can obstruct genuine understanding and hinder productive communication. In essence, when biases cloud judgment, active listening, which involves an open and unbiased reception of ideas, cannot occur.

In contrast, listening carefully to others implies a commitment to understanding, which counters the notion of ineffective listening caused by biases. Being overly focused on details might cause distraction but does not inherently stem from a failure to listen. Enjoying conversation over listening suggests a preference for speaking rather than engaging, which is a different issue and not necessarily linked to prejudiced views.