How can individuals overcome the urge to respond defensively during a conflict and instead focus on actively listening and understanding the other person's perspective?

Individuals can overcome the urge to respond defensively during a conflict by practicing self-awareness and recognizing their own triggers. They can also try to stay calm and composed by taking deep breaths and pausing before responding. Actively listening and understanding the other person's perspective can be achieved by asking open-ended questions, paraphrasing their points to show understanding, and reflecting on their own biases and assumptions that may be influencing their reactions. Building empathy and showing genuine interest in the other person's thoughts and feelings can help shift the focus from defensiveness to constructive communication.