Universal Human Needs
Feelings
Requests vs Demands
Observations vs Evaluations
Empathy
100

Fill in the Blank: According to NVC, all human actions are attempts to meet our _____________.

needs

100

Fill in the Blank: According to NVC, feelings can be categorized into two main types: feelings of ________ and feelings of _________.

feelings of connection and feelings of disconnection

100

Multiple Choice: Which of the following best describes a key difference between a request and a demand in NVC? 

  • A) A request is always phrased as a question, while a demand is a statement.
  • B) A request invites collaboration, whereas a demand seeks compliance.
  • C) A request is less specific than a demand.
  • D) A request is only made when someone is feeling positive.

B) A request invites collaboration, whereas a demand seeks compliance.

100

An ____________ is a fact learned directly through the 5 senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch).

observation

100

Multiple Choice: Which of the following best defines empathy in NVC?

  • A) Agreeing with another person's perspective
  • B) Understanding and acknowledging another person's feelings and needs without judgment
  • C) Providing solutions to another person's problems
  • D) Sympathizing with someone’s situation

B) Understanding and acknowledging another person's feelings and needs without judgment

200

True or False: Universal human needs can be fully satisfied through external achievements and material possessions.

C) Competition


200

Multiple Choice: Which of the following statements best captures the essence of feelings in NVC?

  • A) Feelings are primarily thoughts about situations or actions.
  • B) Feelings are interpretations of others' behaviors.
  • C) Feelings arise from our own needs being met or unmet.
  • D) Feelings are simply emotional reactions to external events.

C) Feelings arise from our own needs being met or unmet.

200

True or False: When a person makes a demand, they are more likely to create a defensive reaction in others compared to when they make a request.

true

200

True or False: "I noticed that you arrived late to the meeting" is an example of an observation.

True

200

Fill in the Blank: In NVC, empathy is primarily about __________, while sympathy often involves __________.

connection; pity

300

Multiple Choice: Which of the following pairs correctly aligns a universal human need with its potential root cause?

  • A) Connection - Feeling isolated  
  • B) Autonomy - Having too many choices  
  • C) Safety - Living in a stable environment  
  • D) Understanding - Being ignored

A) Connection - Feeling isolated  

300

True or False: In NVC, it is encouraged to express feelings in a way that places blame on others to promote accountability.

False 

300

In NVC, a __________ is an expression of a desire for a specific action, made without attachment to the outcome, while a __________ is an insistence that often carries an ultimatum or threat.

request; demand

300

Fill in the Blank: An evaluation often includes _______________ about someone’s character or intentions.

judgments, interpretations, or assumptions

300

Discuss the importance of self-empathy in the practice of NVC. How can understanding your own feelings and needs enhance your ability to empathize with others?

Increased Awareness: By practicing self-empathy, individuals become more attuned to their own emotions and needs. This heightened awareness allows them to identify when they are feeling triggered or overwhelmed, enabling them to respond rather than react in challenging situations.

Modeling Empathy: When individuals engage in self-empathy, they model empathetic behavior for others. This creates a safe environment that encourages open communication and vulnerability, making it easier for others to


400

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT considered a universal human need according to NVC?

  • A) Autonomy
  • B) Acceptance
  • C) Competition
  • D) Connection

C) Competition

400

Short Answer: Explain the difference between "I feel sad" and "I feel ignored" in the context of NVC. What implications does this distinction have for communication?

I feel sad expresses a feeling while I feel ignored is an evaluation. One can cause the other person to become defensive (disconnected communication) while the other can lead to compassion communication (connecting communication). 

400

Match the following phrases with their corresponding type (Request or Demand):

  • A) "Could you please finish this project by Tuesday?"  
  • B) "You must attend the meeting to show your commitment."  
  • C) "I would appreciate your feedback on this report."  
  • D) "If you don't help me with this task, I'll be very disappointed."

A - Request, B - Demand, C - Request, D - Demand

400

Matching: Match the following statements with their correct classification (Observation or Evaluation):

  • A) "The light is red."  
  • B) "You are careless."  
  • C) "I see that you are working late."  
  • D) "You don’t care about this project."
  • A) Observation
  • B) Evaluation
  • C) Observation
  • D) Evaluation
400

Identify the Empathy Gap: Review this statement: "You shouldn’t feel that way; it’s not a big deal." 

  • a) Identify the lack of empathy in this response. 
  • b) Rephrase it to reflect an empathetic understanding.
  • a) The response dismisses the other person's feelings and implies judgment, showing a lack of understanding.
  • b) An empathetic rephrase could be: "I can see that this situation is really bothering you; would you like to talk about it?"
500

Consider the statement: "I feel frustrated when my requests are ignored, especially after I've made them multiple times." 

Identify the underlying universal need being expressed.

The underlying need being expressed is: the need for acknowledgment or responsiveness.

500

Matching: Match the following feelings with their corresponding needs:

  • A) Joy  
  • B) Frustration  
  • C) Loneliness  
  • D) Relief
  1. Connection  
  2. Understanding  
  3. Safety  
  4. Fulfillment

A - 4, B - 2, C - 1, D - 3

500

Identify and Reframe: Consider the statement: "You should clean up this mess now." 

  • a) Identify the implicit demand in this statement. 
  • b) Reframe it into a request that encourages a more positive response, considering the other person's perspective.

a) The implicit demand is the expectation that the other person must clean up immediately.

b) A reframed request could be: "Would you be willing to help clean up this mess when you have a moment? I would really appreciate your support."

500

Rephrase the following from an evaluation to an observation: 

"Hank is a terrible soccer player"

"Hank has not scored a goal in twenty games."

500

Short Answer: Explain the role of empathy in de-escalating conflicts. Provide an example of how empathy can transform a difficult conversation.

Empathy plays a vital role in de-escalating conflicts by fostering understanding and connection between parties. When individuals feel heard and understood, they are more likely to lower their defenses and engage in constructive dialogue. By acknowledging and validating the feelings and needs of others, empathy creates a safe space for open communication, allowing for the exploration of solutions rather than deepening the conflict.

For example, consider a situation where two coworkers are in a heated disagreement over project responsibilities. One coworker expresses frustration, stating, "I feel like you never listen to my ideas!" Instead of responding defensively, the other coworker could practice empathy by saying, "I hear that you're feeling frustrated and that your ideas are important to you. Can we take a moment to discuss your thoughts on this project?"


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