ISSA Nutritionist Practice Exam

What is the core premise of motivational interviewing?

1. Enhancing motivation

2. Discovering ambivalence

3. Setting clear goals

4. Encouraging autonomy

The correct answer is: Discovering ambivalence

The core premise of motivational interviewing centers on the concept of discovering ambivalence. This approach acknowledges that individuals often experience mixed feelings about changing their behaviors, particularly in relation to health and lifestyle modifications. By exploring and identifying this ambivalence, a practitioner can better understand the person's motivations and reservations, which creates a space for dialogue about change. Motivational interviewing is designed to elicit the individual's own reasons for making a change, aligning with their values and feelings. This method emphasizes empathy and reflective listening, allowing clients to verbalize their conflicting thoughts. The goal is to help them resolve these conflicts internally, leading to a stronger commitment to change when they arrive at their own conclusions about the benefits of making shifts in their behavior. While enhancing motivation, setting clear goals, and encouraging autonomy are valuable aspects of the overall process, they stem from the foundational activity of uncovering a client's ambivalence. By doing so, the practitioner can effectively engage the individual in a conversation that fosters intrinsic motivation and sustainable behavior change.