Eliciting

Eliciting, in its broadest sense, refers to the act of drawing out or evoking a response, reaction, or information from a person or thing. It's about causing something to happen or become apparent, often through a specific stimulus or method. The process implies a degree of skill or technique in prompting the desired outcome. This can apply to a wide variety of scenarios, from prompting a memory to obtaining a confession. It involves influencing, subtly or directly, to achieve a specific goal by gathering the reaction, response, or information that you are trying to receive.

Eliciting meaning with examples

• The detective's skillful questioning was crucial in eliciting a confession from the suspect. He used a combination of empathy and sharp interrogation to uncover the truth. His use of body language, specifically how he leaned in and out, aided in drawing out the crucial details and changing the suspect's answers.
• The comedian's jokes were perfectly timed, eliciting peals of laughter from the audience. He knew the right words, pace, and timing to get them to laugh. The comedian's use of call-and-response techniques kept the momentum going and created a fun environment to laugh together.
• The teacher used positive reinforcement to try eliciting good behaviour from the students. Using fun exercises and praise for the students, he was able to shift the way they acted in class. Eventually, the reward system made an easier class for the teacher and an easier environment for the students.
• The researcher's experiment was designed to elicit emotional responses to disturbing images. They were measuring the body's reaction and taking data. The way the researcher presented the image helped them see how quickly their subject's body reacted. It took specific images to gain the data they were hoping for.