The significance of asking What versus Why. :: essays research papers

petition why is ofttimes a reasonable way to find out information. However, in somewhat circumstances it limits the response and circumvents the objective for asking the question. When trying to resolve behavioural issues asking why tends to lead a student on a mental chase of cause and effect. While this process is generally stabilizing for critical thinking, it does non necessarily promote beneficial and on-going self-reflection. Watch soul when you ask why and youll often see her/his eyes looking up as if s/he can see into her/his brain and desexualize the answer. However, the brain is not where feelings reside it is where they are intellectually processed. Consequently, asking a student why is essentially asking for an explanation. Therefore, asking why often promotes a sense of confrontation and judgment which puts a student on the defensive, as if s/he has to justify her/himself to you. As a impression the situation has become about your needs not hers/his. On the ne w(prenominal) hand, asking what is a neutral question which does not imply judgment. It is a simple question which promotes a reporting of events and/or feelings an important primary step when trying to resolve behavioral issues. Asking what focuses the students attention inward to the heart of the matter... literally the heart, the essence of the experience the feelings. Asking what is a non-confrontational question that gives someone the opportunity to relate her/his experience not to judge it and/or feel judged about it. Equally important is that asking what gives the questioner the opportunity to listen without prejudice. If we truly wish to help a student change and grow then the first step is to keep her/his feelings as valid.