What defines open-ended questions in communication?

Open-ended questions are characterized by their ability to encourage elaboration and deeper responses from the person being asked. They invite individuals to provide detailed thoughts, feelings, or insights rather than simply replying with a straightforward 'yes' or 'no.' This type of questioning is valuable in communication, especially in healthcare settings, as it allows healthcare providers to gather comprehensive information from patients, facilitating better understanding of their concerns, experiences, and overall health.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of communication. Questions requiring a yes or no answer are closed-ended and limit the response to a binary option, which does not foster elaboration. Questions asked for clarification serve a specific purpose in seeking confirmation or understanding a point already made, rather than promoting an expansive dialogue. Lastly, questions that lessen conversation generally refer to prompts that may terminate discussion rather than prolong it or engage the respondent in meaningful dialogue. Hence, open-ended questions are distinct in their function of enhancing communication through the solicitation of detailed responses.