MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TEST (MIKAT)
THAD R. LEFFINGWELL, PH.D.
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
Citation:
Leffingwell, T. R. (2006). Motivational Interviewing Knowledge and
Attitudes Test (MIKAT) for evaluation of training outcomes. MINUET, 13,
10-11.
Download: http://psychology.okstate.edu/faculty/leffingwell/bcl/resources/reprints/mikat_mintbull.pdf
Contact Information: email: thad.leffingwell@okstate.edu phone: 405/744.7494
Copyright Information:
Permission is granted for reproduction of this measure for research or training purposes. Please cite appropriately in scholarly work.

MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING QUIZ
The following statements are either factually true or false or consistent with (“true”) or inconsistent with (“false”) a motivational interviewing approach. Indicate your response by circling the appropriate item to the right.
1.
Substance users must accept their problem (for example: “I am an alcoholic/addict.”) before they can get help. True False
True False 2.
Denial is a characteristic of the disease of addiction.
3.
Therapists’ expectancies for their client’s abilities to change have no effect upon whether change occurs.
4.
Research has failed to find support the existence of an “addictive personality.”
5.
Substance users need to “hit bottom” before they can change.
6.
If clients are resistant to talk about changing substance use, direct confrontation and persuasion are required to help the person change.
7.
Resistance to talking about substance use is the direct result of denial, a symptom of the disease of addiction.
8.
Counselors should emphasize personal choice over clients’ behaviors, including substance use.
9.
Substance abusers are generally incapable of making sound decisions in their current state of addiction.
10.
Resistance is best thought of as a product of the interpersonal context in which it is observed.
11.
Addicts and alcoholics are not capable of exerting control over their substance use behavior.
12.
Readiness to make change is the client’s responsibility – no one can help them until they decide they are ready.
13.
The best way to motivate substance users is to help them resolve their ambivalence about change.
14.
External pressure and consequences is the only way to make substance abusers change.
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
15. Which of the following are principles of a Motivational Interviewing approach to dealing with substance use?
(select all that apply):


Breakdown denial
Express empathy
 Develop discrepancies
 Acceptance of label
(“alcoholic/addict”) is required
 Maximize external pressure  Use subtle coercion
 Roll with resistance
 Require abstinence as only acceptable goal
 Give direct advice
 Encourage submission to disease





Confront resistance
Educate about risks
Support self-efficacy
Give clear consequences
Avoid argumentation

MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING QUIZ - KEY
The following statements are either factually true or false or consistent with (“true”) or inconsistent with (“false”) a motivational interviewing approach. Indicate your response by circling the appropriate item to the right.
1.
Substance users must accept their problem (for example: “I am an alcoholic/addict.”) before they can get help. True False
True False 2.
Denial is a characteristic of the disease of addiction.
3.
Therapists’ expectancies for their client’s abilities to change have no effect upon whether change occurs.
4.
Research has failed to find support the existence of an “addictive personality.”
5.
Substance users need to “hit bottom” before they can change.
6.
If clients are resistant to talk about changing substance use, direct confrontation and persuasion are required to help the person change.
7.
Resistance to talking about substance use is the direct result of denial, a symptom of the disease of addiction.
8.
Counselors should emphasize personal choice over clients’ behaviors, including substance use.
9.
Substance abusers are generally incapable of making sound decisions in their current state of addiction.
10.
Resistance is best thought of as a product of the interpersonal context in which it is observed.
11.
Addicts and alcoholics are not capable of exerting control over their substance use behavior.
12.
Readiness to make change is the client’s responsibility – no one can help them until they decide they are ready.
13.
The best way to motivate substance users is to help them resolve their ambivalence about change.
14.
External pressure and consequences is the only way to make substance abusers change.
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
15. Which of the following are principles of a Motivational Interviewing approach to dealing with substance use?
(select all that apply):
 Breakdown denial 
Develop discrepancies
 Confront resistance

Express empathy
 Acceptance of label
(“alcoholic/addict”) is required
 Maximize external pressure  Use subtle coercion

Roll with resistance
 Require abstinence as only acceptable goal
 Give direct advice
 Encourage submission to disease
 Educate about risks

 Give clear consequences

Support self-efficacy
Avoid argumentation