Page 71 - Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills: A Guide for Professionals

“Oh?” or “Oh!”
“Really?”
“Very good!”
“That’s interesting.”

Box 3-3 ■ Other Probes

A technique useful in breaking a silence is to repeat or echo the last phrase or sentence the person has said,
raising the tone of voice to a question.

EXAMPLE “I follow my diet except when I eat out.”
“Except when you eat out?”
“I especially enjoy doing special projects with coworkers.”
“Special projects with coworkers?”

Repetition, however, should not be overdone, or it has a parrot-like effect. If this is noticed, it will inhibit
conversation.

A summary sentence stated as a question also elicits further elaboration.

EXAMPLE “You say that you already know how to plan a diabetic diet?”
“You think this company is the one you want to work for?”

“I see,” “I understand,” and “that’s interesting” may give a feeling of acceptance and encourage conversation
or elaboration of a point of view. “Very good” gives the person a pat on the back and is another kind of
acceptance. Nonverbal probes include giving a quizzical look, leaning forward in the chair, and nodding of the
head occasionally.3

Confrontational Responses

Confrontation is an authority-laden response in which the interviewer tactfully and tentatively calls to the
person’s attention some inconsistency or discrepancy in the client’s story, words, or actions by pointing out the
discrepancy to the client, such as claiming to follow the diet, but has not lost weight.

This response challenges and encourages the person to recognize and cope psychologically with some aspect
of behavior that is self-defeating or to examine the consequences of some behavior. It should be said
nonjudgmentally as discussion centers on resolution of problems.

Confrontation is an advanced level skill that should seldom be used by an inexperienced interviewer or
when good rapport, a trusting relationship, and a supportive atmosphere are lacking. Otherwise, such
responses can be threatening and inhibit conversation.

Evaluative Responses

In an evaluative response, the interviewer makes a judgment about the person’s behavior or responses or
implies how the person ought to feel. The evaluative response leads to the offering of advice for the solution

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