CPC Personal Development & Motivation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which concept describes the gap between a person's current state and their desired future state, used as a motivational tool in coaching?
- Cognitive dissonance
- Developmental gap
- The knowing-doing gap
- Creative tension (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Creative tension
Creative tension, coined by Peter Senge, describes the productive energy that arises from the gap between current reality and a compelling vision.
Question 2: A client sets a goal to 'be more confident.' What is the most important coaching action?
- Accept the goal as stated and begin action planning
- Help the client define specific, observable behaviors that indicate confidence (Correct answer)
- Suggest confidence-building books and courses
- Ask the client to rate their current confidence on a scale of 1–10
Correct answer: Help the client define specific, observable behaviors that indicate confidence
Transforming abstract goals into specific, observable behaviors makes them measurable and actionable for effective coaching.
Question 3: According to Self-Determination Theory, which type of motivation is most associated with long-term well-being and persistence?
- Introjected regulation
- External regulation
- Identified regulation
- Intrinsic motivation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Intrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation — doing something for inherent enjoyment or interest — is most strongly linked to sustained engagement and psychological well-being.
Question 4: A client consistently avoids working on their most important task until the end of the day. This pattern is BEST described as:
- Strategic scheduling
- Procrastination driven by task aversion (Correct answer)
- Energy management
- Batching
Correct answer: Procrastination driven by task aversion
Delaying high-priority tasks due to discomfort or negative emotions is a hallmark of task-aversion procrastination.
Question 5: Which personal development framework uses the metaphor of a 'window' with four quadrants to explore self-awareness and blind spots?
- The GROW Model
- The Johari Window (Correct answer)
- The Eisenhower Matrix
- The Wheel of Life
Correct answer: The Johari Window
The Johari Window, developed by Luft and Ingham, maps what is known/unknown to self and others to build self-awareness.
Question 6: When a client attributes all of their failures to external circumstances and all successes to luck, a coach should explore their:
- Locus of control (Correct answer)
- Growth mindset level
- Emotional intelligence
- Cognitive load
Correct answer: Locus of control
An external locus of control means the client believes outcomes are primarily controlled by outside forces, undermining personal agency.
Question 7: Which motivational strategy involves a client publicly committing to a goal to increase accountability?
- Implementation intention
- Commitment device
- Social contracting (Correct answer)
- If-then planning
Correct answer: Social contracting
Social contracting leverages social pressure and accountability by having clients declare their goals publicly to peers or a coach.
CPC Personal Development & Motivation 2
Which concept describes the gap between a person's current state and their desired future state, used as a motivational tool in coaching?