Stress_Diary_Guide 15. Socratic Questioning by Gino Norris

Stress Diary Journal Guides

Guide 15: Socratic Questioning

Socratic Question Types

Stress Diary Journal Your Guide

> Questions Clarification

What is S ocratic Questioning? Socrates is credited with a method of engaging people in dialogue which requires deep thought. This Socratic Method is basically asking a series of questions on a central issue or topic to engage others in thoughtful discussion. Socrates was one of the greatest educators who taught by asking questions and thus drawing out answers from his pupils. Plato, one of his students wrote up much what we know of him. Here are the six types of questions that Socrates asked his pupils. Probably often to their initial annoyance but more often to their ultimate delight. He was a man of remarkable integrity and his overall purpose, is to challenge accuracy and completeness of

thinking in a way that acts to move people towards their ultimate goal. Applied to stress, and particularly during your analysis of a stressful event, in your Stress Diary Journal, or when confronted in your initial thoughts when facing a stressful situation, these questions may come in handy – to question yourself and your thoughts, reactions and response – as a form of SelfDialogue]. Note not all questions may apply to the situation and you can be selective of the ones below, but it is very good practice to question your assumptions, to put it into perspective and restructure your cognitions.

Questions of Clarification:  Can you explain that….? [e.g., I am not going to know the answers…]  What do you mean by ….?  Can you give me an example of …?  How does that help…?  What is the main point?  Would this be an example of…?  How does….relate to …..?  Could you explain that further?  Could you put that another way?  Could you rephrase that please?  Is your basic point….or….?  Why do you say that?  What do you think is the main issue here?  Let me see if I understand you; do you mean….or…?

> Questions that probe reasons and evidence

> Questions of viewpoints and perspectives

> Questions that probe implications and consequences

> Questions about questions

Questions that probe reasons and evidence?  What would be an example of…?  Are these reasons adequate?  How do you know?  Why did you say that?  Why do you think that is true?  What led you to that belief?  Do you have any evidence for that?  How does that apply to this case?

 What difference does that make?  What would change your mind?  But is there good evidence to believe that?  Is there reason to doubt that evidence?  What would you say to someone who said…?  By what reasoning did you come to that conclusion?  Who really benefits from

    

this? Why is it better than….? What are the strengths and weaknesses of …? What would ‘john’ say about this? How can you look another way at this? What might change your mind about…?

“Socratic questioning is to challenge the accuracy and completeness of thinking in a way that acts to move people towards their ultimate goal”

Page 2

Questions of Viewpoints or perspectives            

You seem to be approaching this issue from …perspective. Why have you chosen this, rather than that perspective? How would other group/types of people respond? Why? What would influence them? Can/did anyone see this another way? What is a counter argument for …? Another way of looking at this is….Does this seem reasonable? Can you put it another way? What if someone were to suggest that…? What is the difference between those view/ideas and …? Can you explain why it is necessary or beneficial, and who benefits? What would someone who disagrees say? What is an alternative?

Questions that probe implications and consequences

“ Questioning your thoughts is assessing yourself in a healthy way”

          

What are you implying by that? When you say…, are you implying…? But if that happened, what else would happen as a result? Why? What effect would that have? Would that necessarily happen or only probably happen? What is an alternative? What are the consequences of …? Then what would happen if…? What are the implications of….? How does…fit with what we have learned before? Why is ….important?

Questions about the Questions          

What generalization can you make? How can we find out? Is this the same issue as …? What does this question assume? How would ….put the issue? Would …put the question differently? Why is this question important? How could someone settle this question? Can we break this question down at all? Why do you think I asked this question?

The Stress Diaries we have available

Page 3

The Stress Diary Journal This 4 week programme to complete stress mastery, is an invaluable tool to effectively manage your stress to gain insight and explore self understanding. The Stress Diary Journal allows you to record your daily stress incidents & to monitor these incidents and analyse them – on a daily basis, for a period of 4 weeks. Divided into 4 weekly sections for you to master your stress progressively and more competently, it helps you review your initial appraisals, stress responses, your reactions & to identify your stress triggers, to then restructure your thoughts, your attitude and subsequent behaviours. You will be able to easier identify negative behaviour patterns, to increase your stress awareness, to learn new coping skills and to let you adapt new & alternative strategies. You will learn renewed self management skills, inner control, effective goal setting, time management skills, to overcome obstacles and increased perseverance to complete set tasks and to instil newfound routines, competencies and behaviours. It helps you to know yourself and manage your life more completely. This is an invaluable tool to gain unique insight, explore self-understanding, learn stress management skills and effectively manage your stress – in 4 weeks!

With a purchase of any of these Diaries, you get full Stress Management Support @ www.stressdiaries.com

Stress Diary: Daily Recorder Journal A companion guide to the Stress Diary Journal in a handy size to carry about , and for you to easily record your daily stress entries. Each Stress entry is individually presented for ease of recording ‘on the go’ and to then transfer these entries to your Stress Diary Journal, or this Stress Diary: Reflection Journal, at the end of your day. Making remembering these Stress incidents/events much easier and keeping you in touch with managing your stress more effectively.

Get a FREE Relaxation Music MP3 ! With your purchase of any of these Stress Diary: Reflection Journal This Stress Reflection Diary Journal is a companion guide to the Stress Diary/Journal and used as an additional tool to further enhance your insight and understanding of your stress. You are to choose 1 significant Stress Entry per day, from your Stress Diary Journal for the length of your 4 week programme, that you may want to elaborate and focus on. Using the guideline questions and answer spaces that are provided, and you can add your personal notes or thoughts about your day or progress. Weekly summaries of your progress are included, to advance and monitor your progress and by answering these questions and adding your own observations, you will increase your skills at understand, managing your reactions and responses to your daily stress triggers and stressors. The Reflection Journal is an easy way to record and focus on how to reflect on your experiences and how you can learn from it.

Get these Stress Diary Journals at www.stressdiaries.com