Answer: Pseudo listening
Explanation:
Pseudo-listening is a form of non-listening whereby a person appears to be attentive and fully listening in a conversation but actually the person is only partially listening or ignoring the other person speaking. The main reason for pseudo listening is not to listen but to the conversation but to cater to the listener's other personal need. The word "pseudo listening" is made up of the words pseudo which is a Greek word that means "not genuine or real " and listening.[4]
Pseudo-listening is the an ineffective way to communicate. When the conversation has ended, one won't have gotten much of the information said. Since John's mind was somewhere else while Cynthia was talking, John was exhibiting pseudo listening.