What is the term for listening to evaluate a message for purposes of accepting or rejecting it?

The term for listening to evaluate a message for purposes of accepting or rejecting it is critical listening. This type of listening goes beyond merely hearing the words spoken; it involves analyzing the content, assessing the validity of the arguments, and determining the credibility of the speaker. Critical listening requires the listener to engage with the message actively, assessing its strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately making informed judgments about what is being communicated.

In contrast, empathetic listening focuses on understanding the speaker's feelings and emotions rather than evaluating the message for its logic or truth. Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said but doesn't necessarily imply a judgment on the message itself. Selective listening refers to the practice of only hearing specific parts of a conversation that interest the listener, rather than evaluating the entire message.