What type of questions are commonly used in the Socratic method?

The Socratic method is an educational technique that primarily uses open-ended questions to foster critical thinking and deeper understanding. Open-ended questions require learners to engage in dialogue, reflect on their knowledge, and articulate their reasoning, allowing them to explore concepts more fully. This method encourages students to think for themselves, analyze their beliefs, and arrive at conclusions through guided inquiry rather than simply recalling facts or providing straightforward answers.

In contrast to the other types of questions mentioned, closed-ended questions typically limit responses to simple affirmatives or negatives and do not promote further discussion. Leading questions can manipulate the response, which undermines the objective of encouraging independent thought. True or false questions generally assess knowledge retention rather than promoting critical examination of ideas. Therefore, the use of open-ended questions aligns closely with the goals of the Socratic method, making them the most suitable choice.