TTS Behavioral Counseling & Motivational Interviewing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does OARS stand for in motivational interviewing?
- Objectives, Actions, Reflections, Skills
- Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries (Correct answer)
- Observations, Assessments, Responses, Strategies
- Outcomes, Achievements, Reflections, Support
Correct answer: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries
OARS is the core MI skill set: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries, used to engage and guide clients toward change.
Question 2: Which theoretical model describes behavior change as occurring through five stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance?
- Social Cognitive Theory
- Health Belief Model
- Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change) (Correct answer)
- Theory of Planned Behavior
Correct answer: Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)
The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) by Prochaska and DiClemente describes behavior change through these five distinct stages, widely applied in tobacco cessation.
Question 3: In motivational interviewing, 'rolling with resistance' means:
- Confronting the client's reasons for not changing
- Avoiding arguments and shifting perspective without direct opposition (Correct answer)
- Agreeing with everything the client says
- Prescribing specific actions for the client to take
Correct answer: Avoiding arguments and shifting perspective without direct opposition
Rolling with resistance means acknowledging the client's perspective and redirecting without confrontation, thereby preserving the therapeutic alliance.
Question 4: Which stage of change is a person in when they have no intention to change their behavior in the next 6 months?
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Precontemplation (Correct answer)
- Maintenance
Correct answer: Precontemplation
Precontemplation is the stage where individuals are not considering change and may be unaware of or minimizing their problem.
Question 5: The 'spirit' of Motivational Interviewing includes all of the following EXCEPT:
- Collaboration
- Evocation
- Confrontation (Correct answer)
- Autonomy
Correct answer: Confrontation
The spirit of MI is based on Collaboration, Evocation, and Autonomy/Acceptance — confrontation is contrary to MI's core non-confrontational philosophy.
Question 6: What is 'change talk' in motivational interviewing?
- The counselor's arguments for why the client should change
- Client statements favoring change (Correct answer)
- Discussing treatment plans with the client
- Feedback given about the client's progress
Correct answer: Client statements favoring change
Change talk refers to client statements that favor the possibility of change, including expressions of desire, ability, reasons, and need to change.
Question 7: In the context of tobacco cessation counseling, which approach is MOST consistent with motivational interviewing principles?
- Telling patients they must quit smoking immediately
- Providing unsolicited advice on cessation strategies
- Exploring the patient's own reasons for quitting (Correct answer)
- Prescribing NRT without discussing the patient's goals
Correct answer: Exploring the patient's own reasons for quitting
MI emphasizes eliciting the patient's own intrinsic motivations for change rather than imposing external reasons or directives.
TTS Behavioral Counseling & Motivational Interviewing 1
What does OARS stand for in motivational interviewing?