Which of the following are recognized communication styles?

The correct answer highlights the three primary recognized communication styles: passive, aggressive, and assertive. Understanding these styles is crucial in communication because each represents a different way individuals express their thoughts, feelings, and needs.

A passive communication style is characterized by a tendency to avoid expressing one's feelings or needs, often leading to feelings of resentment or frustration. On the other hand, an aggressive style involves expressing thoughts and feelings in a way that can demean, belittle, or disrespect others. Assertive communication, recognized as the healthiest style, balances the needs of the individual with respect for others, allowing for open, honest expression without aggression.

The other options represent different categories of communication but do not encapsulate the distinctive communicative behaviors and styles inherent in interpersonal interaction. For instance, while direct and indirect may describe ways of conveying messages, they do not directly relate to the emotional tone or intention behind the communication, which is central to understanding the recognized styles. Similarly, formal and informal communications refer to the context in which communication occurs rather than individual interaction styles. Lastly, written, spoken, and technical are modes of communication that describe the format of exchanging information rather than the approach or style of how that information is conveyed.