Which communication style is often associated with avoiding conflict and displaying closed body language?

The identification of passive communication as the correct response is accurate because this style is characterized by an individual avoiding confrontation and conflict, often to the detriment of their own needs and opinions. Those who use a passive communication style tend to exhibit closed body language, such as avoiding eye contact, using minimal gestures, and adopting a posture that suggests submission or withdrawal. This lack of openness in body language typically reflects an avoidance of expression concerning one's feelings or desires.

Passive communicators often prioritize others' needs to the extent that they disregard their own, which can lead to feelings of resentment or frustration over time. Since they might feel anxious about potential conflicts or disapproval, their communication is often indirect, and they may struggle to articulate their thoughts or feelings clearly.

In contrast, assertive communication, while it may maintain respect for others, encourages clear and open expression of one’s own needs and boundaries. Passive-aggressive communication comes with a façade of compliance while harboring underlying resentment, presenting a complex dynamic that can cause conflict instead of avoiding it. Direct communication emphasizes clarity and straightforwardness but does not invoke the closed-off behaviors associated with passive communication.