PSYC 4340 Health Psychology: Clinical Paper-II Grading Rubric

1. Clear/accurate presentation of

3
motivational interviewing techniques (

40
points)

40 Motivational interviewing techniques clearly illustrated, with clear and accurate dialogue; 3 different techniques illustrated.

35 Motivational interviewing techniques adequately illustrated, somewhat difficult to identify one of the techniques being illustrated; 3 different techniques illustrated

20 Motivational interviewing techniques not illustrated well, somewhat difficult to identify two of the techniques being illustrated; 3 different techniques illustrated

5 Motivational interviewing techniques poorly illustrated, very difficult to identify any of the techniques being illustrated; less than 3 techniques illustrated.

2. Effective communication of main points addressed in the paper, including correct use of grammar and adherence to technical guidelines (

10
points)

10 Minimal or no spelling or grammatical errors; 4 pages, double-spaced; 12-font, Times Roman; typewritten.

5 Occasional spelling or grammatical errors; 4 pages (give or take 1/2 page), double-spaced; font not size 12 or in Times Roman but still readable; typewritten

2 Frequent spelling or grammatical errors; page length falls significantly out of appropriate limits, not double-spaced; font not size 12 or in Times Roman but still readable; typewritten

0 Abundant grammatical or spelling errors; page length falls significantly out of appropriate limits, not double-spaced; inappropriate, nontraditional font; not typewritten

Total points: ____
/50

Sample Dialogue

This is a portion of a sample dialogue between a therapist and a client who is unsure if he wants to quit drinking. This example is to give you an idea of what your assignment should look like. Please do not copy what I have written. Also remember, your paper should be

4 pages
and needs to include at least

3
of the motivational interviewing techniques discussed in class.

Therapist: You mentioned that your wife has been becoming angrier with you lately, and that you have been fighting more. What have you been fighting about?

Jack: She is nagging me about my drinking. She says I have been drinking more than usual.

Therapist: What do you think?

Jack: Well, I guess she’s right. I do drink more these days. A lot of stress, you know.

Therapist: Of course. I know your job is a lot of pressure. And drinking helps to relax you. But I am also concerned about your health. Have you thought about quitting back on your drinking?

Jack: I know I need to quit, but I don’t know; I don’t know if I really want to.

Therapist: So it sounds like you know drinking a lot isn’t good for you, but you haven’t completely made up your mind about quitting.

Jack: I guess.

Therapist: Many people feel that way. Change is scary. If you look down the road a bit, what do you think is the worst thing that can happen to you if you don’t stop drinking?

Jack: Well, I could lose my wife. I love her so much, even when she nags me. But I wish she

would appreciate me more. I think I am a good husband and father.

Therapist: We all want to be appreciated, and I hear how frustrated you are. But I am a little confused. You describe yourself as a “good husband and father”, and I’m sure you are good in many ways, but you have also told me in previous sessions about how you sometimes become “mean” and overly critical of her when you are drinking, and you often miss your son’s soccer games because you go out drinking with your friends. That seems a little inconsistent with your description of yourself as a “good husband and father”.

Jack: Well, I don’t miss a lot of my son’s games. Just a few.

Therapist: How many in the past month would you say you have missed?

Jack: About 6.

Therapist: Do you think that is a lot to miss?

Jack: I don’t know; I guess so.

Therapist: Would you like to have gone to more of his games?

Jack: Yeah, I guess.

Therapist: So would say that being able to go to more of your son’s games would be a benefit, or a “pro”, of quitting drinking?

Client: Yes, I think so.

Therapist: What are some other good things about quitting drinking?