Which of the following is a component of the four keys to Motivational Interviewing?

• A. Open-ended questions
• B. Direct persuasion
• C. Lecturing
• D. Judging

Answer: (A)

Motivational Interviewing relies on a conversational style that invites exploration and collaboration, often summarized as OARS: Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summaries. Open-ended questions are a component because they encourage the person to share more about their experiences, ambivalence, and motivations for change, rather than giving yes/no answers. This helps elicit their own reasons for change and keeps the dialogue collaborative rather than coercive. In contrast, direct persuasion, lecturing, and judging tend to shut down conversation and increase resistance, which is why they are not part of the four keys to Motivational Interviewing.