chapter 5 quiz review

Observation skills

Systematic attending to nonverbal behavior and contextual cues during interviews.

Paralanguage

Vocal qualities (tone, pitch, rate, volume, hesitations) that convey meaning.

Micro-behaviors

Small, brief signals (tics, eye shifts, throat clearing) that may reflect emotion or cognitive processing.

Discrepancy / incongruity

Mismatch between what a client says and how they behave, which can serve as therapeutic entry for supportive confrontation.

Baseline

A client’s typical style of behavior needed to establish before labeling behavior as unusual.

Cultural cueing

Nonverbal norms that vary by culture, always requiring contextual understanding.

Accurate empathy

The ability to accurately perceive and resonate with a client's emotions as conveyed through nonverbal cues.

Safety & risk detection

The process of observing signs of severe distress, suicidality, or intoxication during interviews.

Therapeutic leverage

The use of noted discrepancies between verbal and nonverbal communication to promote client insight and change.

Face / expression

Nonverbal channel involving smiles, micro-expressions, and furrowed brows that convey emotional states.

Eyes / eye contact

Nonverbal channel that includes gaze avoidance or fixed stare, indicating emotional states.

Posture & body orientation

Nonverbal channel assessing body position and movements which can indicate comfort or discomfort.

Gestures / hands

Nonverbal channel involving movements such as fidgeting or steepling that can reflect emotions.

Voice / paralanguage

Qualities of voice including pitch and speed that can indicate emotional states or reactions.

Timing & activity

Observations related to the pace of responses, indicating engagement or emotional state.

Contextual clues

Elements such as room, clothing, and hygiene that provide additional information about a client's well-being.

Baseline + culture first

Establishing a client’s typical behavior and cultural norms prior to interpreting nonverbal cues.

Nonjudgmental language

Describing observations factually without inferring meaning, to maintain objectivity.

Descriptive observation

A factual statement of what was observed, serving as the first part of an observation statement.

Tentative interpretation

A cautious phrasing in observations that avoids certainty about what is observed.

Supportive confrontation

Gently pointing out discrepancies to invite client exploration without judgment.

Documenting observations

Charting objective observations and actions taken to ensure proper follow-up in counseling.

Empathic reflection

Act of reflecting observed nonverbal cues to validate client emotions during counseling.

Influencing skills

Advanced skills used to guide client conversations after observation and reflection.

Observation vs. inference

Observation refers to what is seen or heard; inference involves attaching meaning to those observations.

The five stages of the interview

Stages: Relationship, Story & Strengths, Goals, Restory, and Action where observation plays a crucial role.

Cognitive symptoms

Signs observable in behavior indicating possible mental health issues requiring evaluation.

Cultural context in observation

Understanding that behaviors may have different meanings across cultures.

Self-soothing gestures

Nonverbal behaviors used by individuals to manage anxiety or distress, such as hand wringing.

Flat affect

A lack of emotional expression often observed in clients indicating possible emotional distress.

Delayed responses

Pauses or sudden changes in pace that may indicate a client is experiencing disconnection or dissociation.

Clinical clues

Specific observed signs that can suggest deeper emotional or cognitive issues needing exploration.

Tentative phrasing

Using language that expresses uncertainty and invites further exploration of client feelings.

Patterns in behavior

Repeated behaviors observed over time that provide a more reliable basis for interpretation.

Rapport building

Establishing a trusting relationship with a client before making confrontations about discrepancies.