When a client's statements do not align with their actions, which MI principle is engaged?

When a client's statements do not align with their actions, which MI principle is engaged?

• A. Develop Discrepancy
• B. Express Empathy
• C. Roll With Resistance
• D. Support Self-Efficacy

Answer: (A)

When a client’s words don’t match their actions, the key move is to draw attention to the discrepancy between what they say they want (or value) and what they actually do. This is the process of developing discrepancy. By gently highlighting this gap through open questions and reflective listening, you help the client see the conflict for themselves, which can motivate change without judgment. It’s about evoking change talk by making the inconsistency transparent, not about expressing empathy, rolling with resistance, or boosting self-efficacy on their own. Those other principles are valuable in different moments, but the situation described specifically calls for illuminating the mismatch to catalyze motivation to align behavior with goals.

When a client’s words don’t match their actions, the key move is to draw attention to the discrepancy between what they say they want (or value) and what they actually do. This is the process of developing discrepancy. By gently highlighting this gap through open questions and reflective listening, you help the client see the conflict for themselves, which can motivate change without judgment. It’s about evoking change talk by making the inconsistency transparent, not about expressing empathy, rolling with resistance, or boosting self-efficacy on their own. Those other principles are valuable in different moments, but the situation described specifically calls for illuminating the mismatch to catalyze motivation to align behavior with goals.