What is the primary goal of Motivational Interviewing?

The primary goal of Motivational Interviewing is to generate change talk, which refers to the individual's expressions of desire, ability, reasons, and need for change. This method emphasizes collaboration and empathy, encouraging individuals to articulate their motivations for making changes in their behavior, particularly regarding health and lifestyle.

Generating change talk is crucial because it fosters a person's intrinsic motivation to change rather than imposing solutions from the outside. When individuals express their own reasons for wanting to change, they are more likely to commit to the process and take actionable steps.

The other options, while relevant to behavior change in some contexts, do not capture the essence of Motivational Interviewing. Providing solutions does not engage individuals in the reflective process necessary for sustainable change. Instructing on the importance of exercise may be informative but does not actively involve the individual in their motivational journey. Evaluating a person's readiness to change is a part of the process, but the ultimate aim of Motivational Interviewing is to elicit and strengthen the person's own reasons for change, as reflected in the concept of change talk.