In motivational interviewing, identifying discrepancies between a person’s goals and their current behavior helps to

In motivational interviewing, identifying discrepancies between a person’s goals and their current behavior helps to

• A. Motivate change
• B. Justify status quo
• C. Blame the person
• D. Avoid discussing goals

Answer: (A)

In motivational interviewing, revealing discrepancies between what a person wants for their life and what they’re currently doing taps into their own motivation to change. When someone sees that their current behavior conflicts with goals or values they care about, a natural tension arises that invites reconsideration of those behaviors. By guiding the client to articulate this gap, the practitioner helps them develop readiness to change and to voice reasons for doing so (change talk), all within a collaborative, nonjudgmental frame that honors autonomy. This approach is about motivating change, not justifying the status quo, blaming the person, or avoiding goals. It centers the client’s goals and uses the mismatch between goals and behavior as a lever to move toward actions that align with what they want for themselves.

In motivational interviewing, revealing discrepancies between what a person wants for their life and what they’re currently doing taps into their own motivation to change. When someone sees that their current behavior conflicts with goals or values they care about, a natural tension arises that invites reconsideration of those behaviors. By guiding the client to articulate this gap, the practitioner helps them develop readiness to change and to voice reasons for doing so (change talk), all within a collaborative, nonjudgmental frame that honors autonomy.

This approach is about motivating change, not justifying the status quo, blaming the person, or avoiding goals. It centers the client’s goals and uses the mismatch between goals and behavior as a lever to move toward actions that align with what they want for themselves.