Mood disorders: Socratic questioning in cognitive therapy: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Mood disorders: Socratic questioning in cognitive therapy

Sample item

A depressed woman says, 'Everyone at work thinks I am useless.' Her therapist asks, 'What evidence do you have for that, and what evidence goes against it?' Which technique is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Socratic questioning to test an automatic thought

Cognitive therapy uses guided questioning to help the patient examine the evidence for and against automatic negative thoughts and arrive at balanced alternatives. It is collaborative and uses empirical testing rather than interpretation.

Option by option

  • A. Free association

    Free association asks the patient to say whatever comes to mind in psychoanalysis.

  • B. Socratic questioning to test an automatic thought (correct)

    Correct. Guided questioning of evidence tests an automatic thought.

  • C. Interpretation of transference

    Transference interpretation addresses feelings carried over from earlier relationships onto the therapist.

  • D. Paradoxical intention

    Paradoxical intention asks the patient to deliberately attempt the feared act and is a logotherapy technique.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Socratic questioning to test an automatic thought. Cognitive therapy uses guided questioning to help the patient examine the evidence for and against automatic negative thoughts and arrive at balanced alternatives.

Why is "Free association" not the answer?

Free association asks the patient to say whatever comes to mind in psychoanalysis.

Why is "Interpretation of transference" not the answer?

Transference interpretation addresses feelings carried over from earlier relationships onto the therapist.

Why is "Paradoxical intention" not the answer?

Paradoxical intention asks the patient to deliberately attempt the feared act and is a logotherapy technique.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: Socratic questioning in cognitive therapy in Psychiatry. It is collaborative and uses empirical testing rather than interpretation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Mood disorders: Socratic questioning in cognitive therapy?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.