LCC Positive Psychology & Strengths-Based Coaching 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In strengths-based coaching, a 'signature strength' is best defined as:
- A skill formally certified through professional training
- A strength that appears consistently in a client's top assessment results
- A natural talent that energizes the person and feels authentic to use (Correct answer)
- Any strength identified through a 360-degree feedback process
Correct answer: A natural talent that energizes the person and feels authentic to use
Signature strengths are character strengths that feel natural and authentic to the individual, energize them when used, and are central to their sense of identity.
Question 2: The HERO acronym in Psychological Capital (PsyCap) refers to four resources. Which set correctly identifies these?
- Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism (Correct answer)
- Happiness, Engagement, Relationships, Optimism
- Hope, Empathy, Resilience, Openness
- Happiness, Efficacy, Responsibility, Optimism
Correct answer: Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism
The HERO acronym represents Hope, Efficacy (self-efficacy), Resilience, and Optimism — the four components of Psychological Capital identified by Luthans and colleagues.
Question 3: Self-Determination Theory (SDT), developed by Deci and Ryan, identifies three basic psychological needs. Which option correctly names all three?
- Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness (Correct answer)
- Achievement, Belonging, Control
- Freedom, Mastery, Connection
- Autonomy, Confidence, Recognition
Correct answer: Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness
SDT identifies autonomy (volitional control), competence (feeling effective), and relatedness (connection to others) as the three universal needs essential for intrinsic motivation.
Question 4: C.R. Snyder's Hope Theory identifies two key components of hope. These are:
- Agency thinking and pathways thinking (Correct answer)
- Optimistic thinking and realistic thinking
- Goal setting and goal achievement
- Motivation and perseverance
Correct answer: Agency thinking and pathways thinking
Snyder's Hope Theory consists of agency thinking (belief one can initiate movement toward goals) and pathways thinking (ability to find routes to achieve goals).
Question 5: 'Savoring' as a positive psychology coaching intervention involves:
- Postponing gratification to increase future reward value
- Deliberately attending to and appreciating positive experiences (Correct answer)
- Comparing current experiences to past negative ones for perspective
- Setting incremental goals to build momentum toward larger achievements
Correct answer: Deliberately attending to and appreciating positive experiences
Savoring refers to intentionally attending to, appreciating, and enhancing positive experiences to prolong and intensify positive emotions.
Question 6: Research on gratitude interventions in coaching suggests that regular gratitude practices primarily:
- Eliminate negative emotions and resolve interpersonal conflict
- Increase subjective well-being and life satisfaction (Correct answer)
- Replace the need for professional therapy or clinical counseling
- Are only effective for clients experiencing mild anxiety
Correct answer: Increase subjective well-being and life satisfaction
Research consistently shows that gratitude practices increase subjective well-being, life satisfaction, and positive affect while reducing depression and envy.
Question 7: In strengths-based coaching, what is the most effective approach when a client overuses a strength?
- Eliminating the strength from the client's behavioral repertoire
- Helping the client develop awareness of when to dial the strength up or down (Correct answer)
- Replacing the overused strength with a complementary underdeveloped skill
- Encouraging the client to suppress the strength in professional settings
Correct answer: Helping the client develop awareness of when to dial the strength up or down
When strengths are overused, coaches help clients develop contextual awareness to calibrate appropriate application of their strengths rather than eliminating them.
LCC Positive Psychology & Strengths-Based Coaching 2
In strengths-based coaching, a 'signature strength' is best defined as: