Motivational Interviewing - Chapter 3: Open Questions

Flashcards covering Chapter 3: Open Questions, including OARS concepts, benefits/drawbacks of open questions, question-to-reflection ratios, and the 11 specific types of open questions.

What four conversational skills are represented by the acronym OARS in Motivational Interviewing?

OARS stands for Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries.

How is an Open Question defined within Motivational Interviewing?

A question that offers the person broad latitude in how to respond.

How is an Affirmation defined in Motivational Interviewing?

An appreciative statement that highlights a positive attribute or recognizes a positive action, statement, effort, or intention.

How is a Reflection defined in Motivational Interviewing?

A statement that is intended to mirror meaning (explicit or implicit) of what a person has said.

How is a Summary defined in Motivational Interviewing?

A reflection that draws together content from two or more prior client statements.

What starting words typically distinguish open questions from closed questions?

Open questions typically start with "What…?", "Why…?", "How…?", or "Tell me…". Closed questions typically start with "Do you…?", "Have you…?", "Are you…?", "Will you…?", "Is it…?", or "Can you…?".

Why should practitioners be mindful of their tone of voice when asking "Why…?" questions?

To minimize communicating judgment.

What are the primary benefits of using open questions in Motivational Interviewing?

Benefits include providing talk therapy (helping clients feel lighter), creating ah-ha moments, enhancing reflective listening, minimizing judgment, demonstrating interest and respect, and evoking change talk.

How should a practitioner follow up if a closed question is asked and receives a brief response?

Follow up with an open question such as: "Tell me more about that", "Why do you think that is?", or "How so?".

What is the recommended ratio of reflections to questions in Motivational Interviewing, and why?

Practitioners should aim for a $2:1$ ratio (2 reflections for every 1 question) to avoid rapid-fire questioning, which can make clients feel unheard and put them in a passive role.

What is an "If any" question and what is its main purpose?

An "If any" question includes the phrase "if any" (or "if anything"). Its purpose is to minimize making assumptions about the client.

What is a Disarming question and what is its main purpose?

A disarming question invites the client to voice reasons NOT to change. Its purpose is to communicate acceptance, build rapport, uncover current hesitations, or prompt change talk as the client defends the other side.

What is a Strengths-based question and what is its main purpose?

A strengths-based question invites clients to talk about their strengths, skills, accomplishments, and previous successes. Its purpose is to build client self-efficacy, create opportunities for affirmations, and produce change talk.

What is a Goals and values question and what is its main purpose?

A goals and values question invites clients to share about their goals and values. Its purpose is to learn what matters to the client, build rapport, and serve as a guide for behavior change decisions.

What is the main purpose of a Reasons for change question?

It invites the client to talk about their reasons for change in order to evoke change talk.

What is a Looking forward question and what is its main purpose?

A looking forward question asks about the future to encourage the client to visualize possible long-term benefits of making a change.

What is a Looking back question and what is its main purpose?

A looking back question asks clients to consider a time when they were successful in making a change or when life was generally better, allowing them to compare past states to the present.

What is a Querying extremes question and what is its main purpose?

A querying extremes question invites clients to imagine the best outcomes of making a change and/or the worst consequences of not making it, evoking change talk by helping clients consider what matters most.

What is a Digging deep question and what is its main purpose?

A digging deep question encourages elaboration or unpacking to draw out more information, encourage sharing of thoughts and feelings, and build vulnerability, connection, and trust.

What is a Change ruler question and what scale does it typically use?

A change ruler question assesses a client's perceived importance and confidence regarding a change, typically using a 0 to 10 scale (from "Not at all confident" to "Very confident").

What is a Hypothetical question and what is its main purpose?

A hypothetical question poses a hypothetical situation to invite the client to envision the path ahead without feeling like they have to commit to it.