EXAMPLE ANSWERS: Q1

Student answer

1.1: [X] is not a leading question. (LO 1.8 An ability to recognise 'leading' questions.)

1.2 Give three examples of loaded questions and when and why you would use these.

 Learning outcomes: 1.71.2

Loaded questions can be used to infer a statement as fact. Instead of asking ‘do you’ ‘did you’ type questions, the stance that an event has occurred is taken as fact and the rest of the question hinges from this. In order to answer the question, there is agreement that the inferred event did in fact take place

Examples

• “When did you stop making yourself sick after a meal?” This would be used to imply the individual has done this action and also that it has stopped
• “How often did you cheat on your wife without her realising” This would be used to imply the individual has cheated and has not been caught in the past
• “After you stole the purse, where did you go?” This would be used to imply the individual has stolen the purse and then left

(LO 1.8 An ability to recognise 'leading' questions)

1.2 Give three examples of loaded questions and when and why you would use these. Learning outcomes: 1.7

“When did you start to overeat?”- Assumes that the respondent overeats and began to do it at some point that they can remember. We could use this to determine the period or age that a client began over eating and this would help the therapist to cut straight to the point and put pressure on the client to take ownership of their behaviour rather than trying to sugar coat it and not take responsibility. “Do you still blame yourself for your childhood experiences?” - Assumes that the respondent blames themselves for something that happened to them as a child and that there was a specific point at which this behaviour started to occur. We could use this question to help the client to see that they have been blaming themselves for something that was possibly out of their control, and to help us and them to understand that they are still doing this to a certain extent. “Have you quit smoking already then? or do you want to quit now?” – This assumes that the person was or still is a smoker and that if they haven’t already quit then they only have the choice to quit right away. It would e useful in questioning a client who wants to give up smoking and encourages them to make the decision to quit straight away rather than delaying it and having a get-out-clause.

Correct. In leading the client in this manner, it invites resistance and discussion. The client could protest that in fact their weight condition has little to do with the amount of food they eat and perhaps it is their metabolism at fault. Or they could agree that they DO overeat and you can then explore the reasons as to why that occurs. Good answer. Correct. Having suspected that the client does in fact blame themselves in this manner which could be to their detriment this gives the client the opportunity to discount or agree and you can then explore both avenues. Correct. Using the presumption that they may already have quit (in fact, it is a technique to be utilised in that you are drawing attention to the very notion that they are NOT smoking right now, so in actuality, they are sitting in front of you as a non smoker!). They are lead to explore the notion of what being a non smoker would be like and may then volunteer difficulties and restrictions that having given up smoking would present. You are also of course implying that if they have not already given up, they will be doing so now. Well done.

(Further Student answer here) Q1.1 d - Do you want to stop eating chocolate? Q1.2 i) How much more weight are you prepared to put on before you finally decide enough is enough? Loaded questions like this are often a last resort and shortcuts to bring a client to focus on their desired outcome, especially when time is running out in a session. The question assumes that they will have outlined the problems arising from their being overweight but have been prevaricating or showing reticence about taking the final step. Questions like this should be used with care, as they risk breaking the rapport established between client and therapist but are a means of getting to the crux of their problem(s). The question is a reminder that they need to take ownership of their current behaviour NOW and that they have sole responsibility for moving towards the changes they seek. ii) Why did you feel you needed a new plasma TV when you haven’t been able to pay your mortgage for three months? This loaded question is a something of a slap in the face for the client. Here the therapist is trying to establish that a client with an over-spending habit, really understands the position they’re in and the consequences of their continued behaviour.  If they appreciate the negative consequences implied by the question then they are ready for change. Not to accept the consequences or to defend or justify their position would indicate that they are not ready for change. Depending on the stage reached in the session, this could mean calling a halt to proceedings or resorting to a further round of meta-questions to see if the client can be turned around. iii) So will you give up smoking, or risk another stroke? This is an example of a loaded question set in a blame frame context conveying the message that “you’ve had a stroke and if you don’t give up smoking, you’ll have another one and probably die!” It assumes that their smoking habit has a direct connection with their poor health, but is probably a fair assumption given the weight of evidence. The meta-questioning should have revealed that the client does really wish to become a non-smoker. In a case where they subsequently show reluctance to quit, this question presents the client with a dilemma and puts pressure on them to take ownership of their behaviour and control over their health.