Conversation Skills: Discussing Sensitive Topics

A sensitive topic is one that people respond to emotionally. It might be a controversial issue that everyone has an opinion about, or it could be something that is very personal to one individual. Usually we discuss sensitive topics with people we know well, such as close friends or family. However, a sensitive topic can come up even in a conversation with someone you don’t know well. In this course psychologists Eve Ash and Peter Quarry engage in real-life conversations and demonstrate strategies for dealing with a sensitive topic. Successfully discussing a sensitive topic should always start with listening openly and showing empathy.