Which of the following is an example of an "I" message in active listening?

• A. I feel frustrated when you interrupt me
• B. You interrupt me
• C. Silence
• D. Threaten

Answer: (A)

An "I" message in active listening centers on owning your feelings and describing how a behavior affects you, rather than blaming the other person. In the example, "I feel frustrated when you interrupt me" uses "I" language, names the feeling, and links it to a specific action ("when you interrupt me"). This conveys your experience without accusing the other person, which helps reduce defensiveness and keeps the conversation productive.

Why this works better than the others: blaming statements like "You interrupt me" focus on accusing the other person and can provoke a defensive response, making it harder to resolve the issue. Silence or threats don’t express your feelings or specify how the behavior impacts you, so they fail to communicate a clear need or request for change.

Using I-messages is a practical tool in conversations to express emotions, describe the impact of someone’s actions, and invite collaborative problem-solving.