IAC Evidence-Based Coaching Practices 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which cognitive-behavioral concept, supported by evidence, explains why clients who write down their goals achieve them at higher rates than those who only think about them?
- Implementation intentions (Correct answer)
- Cognitive dissonance
- Habituation
- Priming effect
Correct answer: Implementation intentions
Implementation intentions — 'if-then' planning and written specificity — significantly increase follow-through by linking goals to situational cues.
Question 2: Evidence-based coaching draws on self-determination theory (SDT). According to SDT, which condition most reliably produces sustainable behavior change in coaching clients?
- Autonomous motivation aligned with intrinsic values (Correct answer)
- External rewards and accountability pressures
- Frequent coach-directed instructions
- Competitive benchmarks against peers
Correct answer: Autonomous motivation aligned with intrinsic values
SDT research demonstrates that behavior change is most durable when clients act from autonomous (internally endorsed) motivation rather than external pressure.
Question 3: A coach notices a client consistently catastrophizes setbacks. Which evidence-based cognitive technique should the coach introduce to reframe this pattern?
- Cognitive restructuring (Correct answer)
- Free association
- Systematic desensitization
- Token economy
Correct answer: Cognitive restructuring
Cognitive restructuring from CBT helps clients identify and challenge distorted thinking patterns like catastrophizing by examining evidence for and against beliefs.
Question 4: The Kirkpatrick model adapted for coaching evaluation assesses outcomes at multiple levels. Which level measures actual behavioral change back on the job?
- Level 3: Behavior (Correct answer)
- Level 1: Reaction
- Level 2: Learning
- Level 4: Results
Correct answer: Level 3: Behavior
Level 3 of the Kirkpatrick model specifically evaluates the degree to which participants apply what they learned back in their work environment.
Question 5: Research on neuroplasticity is increasingly relevant to coaching. Which coaching practice is most directly supported by neuroplasticity evidence?
- Repeating new behaviors in varied contexts to strengthen neural pathways (Correct answer)
- Using hypnosis to bypass conscious resistance
- Focusing exclusively on insight rather than action
- Avoiding emotionally charged topics to prevent amygdala activation
Correct answer: Repeating new behaviors in varied contexts to strengthen neural pathways
Neuroplasticity research shows that practicing new behaviors across different contexts reinforces synaptic connections, making change more robust and lasting.
Question 6: An evidence-based coach uses scaling questions from solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). What is the primary empirical rationale for this technique?
- It externalizes progress, increases self-efficacy, and surfaces client resources (Correct answer)
- It diagnoses the severity of client psychopathology
- It provides the coach with benchmarks to evaluate performance
- It reduces session time by compressing assessment into a single question
Correct answer: It externalizes progress, increases self-efficacy, and surfaces client resources
SFBT research shows scaling questions help clients articulate their own competencies and envision incremental progress, boosting self-efficacy and agency.
Question 7: Which evidence-based framework is specifically designed to help coaches distinguish between coaching and situations requiring referral to mental health professionals?
- Coaching psychology competency continuum (Correct answer)
- GROW model
- Johari Window
- PERMA framework
Correct answer: Coaching psychology competency continuum
The coaching psychology competency continuum (and similar scope-of-practice frameworks) provides guidelines for recognizing clinical presentations that require referral.
IAC Evidence-Based Coaching Practices 3
Which cognitive-behavioral concept, supported by evidence, explains why clients who write down their goals achieve them at higher rates than those who only think about them?