CPC CPC Neuroscience & Positive Psychology in Coaching 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'cognitive reframing' and how is it used in coaching?
- Replacing the client's memory of past events with more positive ones
- Helping clients view a situation from a different, often more empowering perspective (Correct answer)
- A technique to help coaches reframe their own biases
- A form of hypnosis used to change thought patterns
Correct answer: Helping clients view a situation from a different, often more empowering perspective
Cognitive reframing helps clients shift from limiting interpretations to more resourceful perspectives, opening new possibilities for action.
Question 2: In the context of coaching, what is 'learned helplessness'?
- A state where clients become dependent on their coach
- A conditioned belief that one's actions cannot influence outcomes, often blocking goal pursuit (Correct answer)
- A technique coaches use to teach clients how to ask for help
- A coaching intervention for clients with physical disabilities
Correct answer: A conditioned belief that one's actions cannot influence outcomes, often blocking goal pursuit
Learned helplessness, identified by Seligman, occurs when people believe their efforts won't matter; coaches work to restore clients' sense of agency.
Question 3: What role does dopamine play in the coaching process?
- Dopamine suppresses motivation, so coaches must manage it carefully
- Dopamine is released with anticipation of rewards and progress, reinforcing goal-directed behavior (Correct answer)
- Dopamine is a coaching framework developed by neuroscientists
- Dopamine has no relevance to behavioral coaching
Correct answer: Dopamine is released with anticipation of rewards and progress, reinforcing goal-directed behavior
Dopamine motivates action by creating anticipatory pleasure; celebrating small wins in coaching activates dopamine to reinforce progress.
Question 4: What is the significance of the 'growth mindset' (Dweck) concept in coaching?
- It means clients should grow their income as fast as possible
- It is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, which makes clients more resilient and open to coaching (Correct answer)
- It refers to a coach's business expansion strategy
- It is a fixed trait present only in naturally talented individuals
Correct answer: It is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, which makes clients more resilient and open to coaching
Carol Dweck's growth mindset research shows that believing abilities are developable leads to greater effort, learning, and resilience—core coaching outcomes.
Question 5: What is 'somatic awareness' and how can it enhance coaching sessions?
- Awareness of a client's financial resources and assets
- Attention to physical sensations in the body that provide information about emotions and mental states (Correct answer)
- A form of physical therapy incorporated into coaching
- The practice of coaching clients in outdoor physical settings
Correct answer: Attention to physical sensations in the body that provide information about emotions and mental states
Somatic awareness involves tuning into bodily sensations—tension, ease, energy—as real-time data about a client's emotional state and inner wisdom.
Question 6: Which positive psychology intervention involves identifying three good things that happened each day?
- The Best Possible Self exercise
- The Three Good Things (or Three Blessings) practice (Correct answer)
- The Miracle Question technique
- The Wheel of Life assessment
Correct answer: The Three Good Things (or Three Blessings) practice
The Three Good Things practice, researched by Seligman, trains the brain to notice positive events and has been shown to increase well-being over time.
CPC CPC Neuroscience & Positive Psychology in Coaching 2
What is 'cognitive reframing' and how is it used in coaching?