Which of the following statements is a RULE principle in Motivational Interviewing?

• A. UNDERSTAND patients motivations
• B. RESIST the righting reflex
• C. LISTEN with empathy
• D. EMPOWER the patient with self efficacy

Answer: (B)

In Motivational Interviewing, the RULE approach guides how the practitioner engages with the client: Resist the righting reflex, Understand motivations, Listen with empathy, and Empower the patient with self-efficacy. The statement that aligns with this set is resisting the righting reflex. This means stepping back from the urge to immediately fix, correct, or persuade the patient to change and instead partner with them. By resisting the impulse to "set them straight," you create a collaborative space that invites the client to voice ambivalence, explore their own reasons for and against change, and articulate personal goals. This stance reduces resistance and helps elicit intrinsic motivation, which is what makes change more likely.

The other statements are valuable MI skills and fit with the overall spirit of the approach, but they are not the specific RULE component. Understanding motivations, listening with empathy, and empowering self-efficacy are all important elements of MI practice, yet the core RULE idea highlighted here is holding back the urge to fix and instead guiding the process in a collaborative, client-centered way.