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Correct Answer: supportive
the term "supportive" in the context of the counselor’s response indicates an approach that is empathetic, encouraging, and aimed at providing assistance or relief to the student. this response can be dissected into several components that justify why it is considered supportive:
first, the counselor acknowledges the difficulty of the subject matter by saying, "i know calculus can be difficult." this statement is crucial because it validates the student's feelings and struggles, making the student feel understood rather than isolated with his challenges. acknowledgment without judgment is a fundamental aspect of supportive communication.
second, the counselor immediately offers to help by stating, "let's see if we can get some help for you." this part of the response is proactive and solution-oriented. instead of leaving the student to deal with the problem alone, the counselor expresses a willingness to actively engage in finding a solution or resource that could assist the student. this offer to help not only provides practical support but also emotional reassurance to the student that he is not alone in his academic journey.
contrasting this with other types of responses:
- a dismissive response would downplay the student's difficulties or ignore them altogether, perhaps suggesting the student should simply work harder without offering practical help.
- a judgmental response might blame the student for his struggles, perhaps suggesting a lack of effort or ability.
- a directive response would command or instruct the student on what he should do, without offering collaboration or acknowledging his feelings.
- a challenging response might question the student’s commitment or effort in a way that could feel confrontational rather than supportive.
in this scenario, none of these other approaches are evident. instead, the counselor's approach aligns with principles of supportive communication: empathy, validation, and collaboration. the counselor empathizes with the student's situation, validates his feelings regarding the difficulty of the course, and collaborates with the student to seek a solution. this nurturing approach is why the counselor’s response is correctly identified as supportive.
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