Which of the following is a critical component to effective interviewing?

Maintaining a non-threatening demeanor is essential for effective interviewing because it fosters an atmosphere of trust and openness. When an interviewer presents themselves in a calm and approachable manner, it encourages the interviewee to feel comfortable enough to share information freely. A non-threatening environment can help alleviate anxiety and resistance, increasing the likelihood that the person being interviewed will engage in meaningful conversation and provide more accurate and detailed responses.

Creating a hostile environment would likely lead to defensiveness and reluctance to cooperate, while focusing solely on legal terms can overwhelm or confuse the interviewee, hindering communication. Encouraging silence may be beneficial in specific contexts, but generally, a non-threatening approach is more effective in eliciting information.