Question of scale
A question of scale or scaling is used in systemic therapy , but also in the context of counseling , coaching , supervision or training to operationalize "soft realities" and subjective perception.
The question of scale is applied by first creating a scale for a term that is usually not objectively measurable. Often it is about terms that describe “soft realities” as opposed to “hard facts”, such as motivation , ability to work in a team or satisfaction . In counseling, therapy or other helpful discussion contexts, perceptions , assessments, impressions, feelings and progress can be discussed and compared.
The most frequently used scale begins with the value 0 and ends with the value 10. However, scales with other values can also be created. The value 10 usually represents the maximum expression, 0 represents the minimum expression of the term. With the help of a value between the lowest and highest scale value, a term can be assessed and measured on the scale on the basis of one's own subjective perception.
If, for example, motivation is to be quantified, the value 0 means no motivation and the value 10 means maximum motivation . With the help of the scale question "On a scale from 0 to 10, how would you rate your motivation at the moment?", The respondent can make a corresponding assessment without having to define exactly what the selected value means on this scale.
The question of scale makes use of recognized mathematical laws, according to which, for example, 1 is less than 2 and 6 is greater than 5, so the value range is on the ordinal scale level . Changes are expressed through changed numerical values and can thus be more easily perceived and examined.
The question of scale is therefore used to:
- to talk about "soft" terms without having to define them precisely,
- To make "soft" realities or subjective impressions comparable,
- Focus on differences and changes,
- to stimulate differentiated self-observation.
literature
- Günter G. Bamberger: Solution-oriented advice , 2nd edition, Weinheim, 2001, page 62ff.
- Peter De Jong, Insoo Kim Berg: Finding solutions , 5th edition, Dortmund, 2003, page 168 ff.
- Uwe Straß: Helpful questions. Practical manual for helpful discussions in learning and change processes , Norderstedt, 2007, page 132ff.