What is the primary aim of motivational interviewing?

The primary aim of motivational interviewing is to help people move toward positive change. This approach is designed to engage individuals in a collaborative conversation that strengthens their own motivation and commitment to change. It recognizes that individuals may have mixed feelings about changing their behaviors or situations and seeks to evoke their inner motivation rather than impose external pressure or solutions.

Motivational interviewing focuses on understanding the individual's perspective, exploring their ambivalence, and identifying their own reasons for change. By nurturing this intrinsic motivation, the process empowers individuals to take ownership of their journey towards positive transformation, making it much more effective and sustainable.

The other choices reflect elements that might be involved in different contexts but do not capture the essence of motivational interviewing, which prioritizes the individual's autonomy and motivation. For instance, while gathering personal history or assessing readiness for treatment can inform a discussion, they are not the primary objectives of this method. Instead, the focus remains on facilitating the person's movement toward change in a supportive and empathetic manner.