The philosopher Socrates is something of an enigma.
Condemned to death in 399 BC and leaving no written works, we rely extensively on the writings of his pupil, philosophical heavyweight Plato (Honderich, 2005).
Perhaps Socrates’ most significant legacy is his contribution to the art of conversation, known as Socratic questioning. Rather than the teacher filling the mind of the student, both are responsible for pushing the dialogue forward and uncovering truths (Raphael & Monk, 2003).
And yet, what could a 2500-year old approach to inquiry add to the toolkit of the teacher, psychotherapist, and coach?
Well, it turns out, quite a lot.
In this article, we explore the definition of Socratic questioning and how we apply it in education, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and coaching. We then identify techniques, examples of good questions, and exercises that promote better, more productive dialogue.
Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. These science-based exercises explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology, including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.
Many of us fail to recognize questioning as a skill. And yet, whether in education or therapy, vague, purposeless questions have a rather aimless quality, wasting time and failing to elicit useful information (Neenan, 2008).
The Socratic method, often described as the cornerstone of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), solves this inadequacy by asking a series of focused, open-ended questions that encourage reflection (Clark & Egan, 2015). By surfacing knowledge that was previously outside of our awareness, the technique produces insightful perspectives and helps identify positive actions.
“I know you won’t believe me, but the highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others.”
Socrates
Socratic questioning involves a disciplined and thoughtful dialogue between two or more people. It is widely used in teaching and counseling to expose and unravel deeply held values and beliefs that frame and support what we think and say.
By using a series of focused yet open questions, we can unpack our beliefs and those of others.
In education, we can remove, albeit temporarily, the idea of the ‘sage on the stage.’ Instead, the teacher plays dumb, acting as though ignorant of the subject. The student, rather than remaining passive, actively helps push the dialogue forward.
Rather than teaching in the conventional sense, there is no lesson plan and often no pre-defined goal; the dialogue can take its path, remaining open ended between teacher and student.
The Socratic method is used in coaching, with, or without, a clear goal in mind, to probe our deepest thoughts. A predetermined goal is useful when there are time pressures but can leave the client feeling that the coach has their own agenda or nothing to learn from the discussion (Neenan, 2008).
In guided discovery, the absence of a clear goal leads to questions such as “can you be made to feel inferior by someone else’s laughter?” asked with genuine curiosity. Here, the coach gently encourages the client to look at the bigger picture and see other options for tackling an issue.
Ultimately, both approaches have the goal of changing minds. One is coach led, and the other is client led; the coach or therapist may need to move on a continuum between the two.
What Is Socratic Questioning in CBT and Therapy?
Socratic questioning is critical to successful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Clark & Egan, 2015).
Indeed, in CBT, where the focus is on modifying thinking to facilitate emotional and behavioral change, the technique is recognized as helping clients define problems, identify the impact of their beliefs and thoughts, and examine the meaning of events (Beck & Dozois, 2011).
The use of the Socratic method by CBT therapists helps clients become aware of and modify processes that perpetuate their difficulties. The subsequent shift in perspective and the accompanying reevaluation of information and thoughts can be hugely beneficial.
It replaces the didactic, or teaching-based, approach and promotes the value of reflective questioning. Indeed, several controlled trials have demonstrated its effectiveness in dealing with a wide variety of psychological disorders.
While there is no universally accepted definition of the Socratic method in CBT, it can be seen as an umbrella term for using questioning to “clarify meaning, elicit emotion and consequences, as well as to gradually create insight or explore alternative action” (James, Morse, & Howarth, 2010).
It is important to note that the approach, when used in CBT, must remain non-confrontational and instead guide discovery, in an open, interested manner, leading to enlightenment and insight (Clark & Egan, 2015).
You will find that Socratic questions usually have the following attributes (modified from Neenan, 2008):
Attributes of Socratic questions
Description
Concise, directed, and clear
The attention remains on the client and should avoid jargon and reduce confusion.
Open, yet with purpose
The client is invited to actively engage, with a clear rationale behind each question.
Focused but tentative
The focus is on the issue under discussion, yet does not assume the client has the answer.
Neutral
The questioning does not suggest there is a correct or preferred answer.
Above all else, it is essential to remember that Socratic questioning should be confusion-free.
A fruitful dialogue using Socratic questioning is a shared one, between teachers and students or therapists and clients.
Each participant must actively participate and take responsibility for moving the discussion forward.
The best environment, according to professor Rob Reich, is one of ‘productive discomfort,’ but in the absence of fear and panic (Reis, 2003).
There should be no opponents and no one playing ‘devil’s advocate’ or testing the other.
Instead, it is best to remain open minded and prepared to both listen and learn.
Guidance
Some guidance is suggested to perform Socratic questioning effectively.
Advice for the counselor or teacher
Plan significant questions to inform an overall structure and direction without being too prescriptive.
Allow time for the student or client to respond to the questions without feeling hurried.
Stimulate the discussion with probing questions that follow the responses given.
Invite elaboration and facilitate self-discovery through questioning.
Keep the dialogue focused, specific, and clearly worded.
Regularly summarize what has been said.
Pose open questions rather than yes/no questions.
Avoid or re-word questions that are vague, ambiguous, or beyond the level of the listener’s understanding.
For a student or client, it is useful to understand what is expected.
Advice for the student
Participate actively and thoughtfully.
Answer clearly and succinctly.
Address the whole class (where appropriate.)
To be the ideal companion for Socratic questioning, you need to be genuinely curious, willing to take the time and energy to unpack beliefs, and able to logically and dispassionately review contradictions and inconsistencies.
15 Examples of Socratic Questioning
When used effectively, Socratic questioning is a compelling technique for exploring issues, ideas, emotions, and thoughts. It allows misconceptions to be addressed and analyzed at a deeper level than routine questioning.
You will need to use several types of questions to engage and elicit a detailed understanding.
Question type
Examples
Clarification
What do you mean when you say X?
Could you explain that point further? Can you provide an example?
Challenging assumptions
Is there a different point of view?
What assumptions are we making here? Are you saying that… ?
Evidence and reasoning
Can you provide an example that supports what you are saying?
Can we validate that evidence? Do we have all the information we need?
Alternative viewpoints
Are there alternative viewpoints?
How could someone else respond, and why?
Implications and consequences
How would this affect someone?
What are the long-term implications of this?
Challenging the question
What do you think was important about that question?
What would have been a better question to ask?
Students and clients should be encouraged to use the technique on themselves to extend and reinforce the effect of Socratic questioning and promote more profound levels of understanding.
Coaching is “the art of facilitating the performance, learning, and development of another” (Downey, 2003). To reach a deeper understanding of a client’s goals, core values, and impediments to change, a coach must elicit information that is relevant, insightful, and ultimately valuable.
And yet, not all questions are equally useful in coaching.
Vague or aimless questions are costly in terms of time and will erode the client’s confidence in the coaching process (Neenan, 2008).
Asking open-ended questions helps clients reflect and generate knowledge of which they may have previously been unaware. Such insights result in clients reaching new or more balanced perspectives and identifying actions to overcome difficulties.
Coaches should avoid becoming ‘stuck’ entirely in the Socratic mode. Complete reliance on Socratic questions will lead to robotic and predictable sessions. Indeed, at times, the therapist may require closed questions to push a point and offer some direction (Neenan, 2008).
Applications in the Classroom: 2 Examples
Socratic questioning requires the student to identify and defend their position regarding their thoughts and beliefs.
The student is asked to account for themselves, rather than recite facts, including their motivations and bias upon which their views are based.
Discussion is less about facts or what others think about the facts, and more about what the student concludes about them. The underlying beliefs of each participant in the conversation are under review rather than abstract propositions.
And according to science, it works very well. Research has confirmed that Socratic questioning provides students with positive support in enhancing critical thinking skills (Chew, Lin, & Chen, 2019).
1. Socratic circles
Socratic circles can be particularly useful for gaining an in-depth understanding of a specific text or examine the questioning technique itself and the abilities of the group using it:
Students are asked to read a chosen text or passage.
Guidance is given to analyze it and take notes.
Students are arranged in two circles – an inner one and an outer one.
The inner circle is told to read and discuss the text with one another for the next 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, the outer circle is told to remain silent and observe the inner circle’s discussion.
Once completed, the outer circle is given a further 10 minutes to evaluate the inner circle’s dialogue and provide feedback.
The inner circle listens and takes notes.
Later the roles of the inner and outer circles are reversed.
Observing the Socratic method can provide a valuable opportunity to learn about the process of questioning.
2. Socratic seminars
Socratic seminars are the true embodiment of Socrates’ belief in the power of good questioning.
The teacher uses Socratic questions to engage discussion around a targeted learning goal, often a text that invites authentic inquiry.
Guidelines are provided to the students to agree to fair participation, including example questions and behaviors for thinking, interacting, and listening within the group.
Learning is promoted by encouraging critical analysis and reasoning to find deep answers to questions.
The teacher may define some initial open-ended questions but does not adopt the role of a leader.
Once over, a review of the techniques and the group’s effectiveness at using them should be performed and learnings fed into future seminars.
It takes time to learn and use the Socratic method effectively and should be considered a necessary part of the group’s overall journey.
At times we all need pointers regarding the questions to ask. The misleadingly named five Ws – who, what, when, where, why, and how – are widely used for basic information gathering, from journalism to policing.
Five Ws (and an H)
Who is involved?
What happened?
When did it happen?
Where did it happen?
Why did it happen?
How did it happen?
The five Ws (and an H) provide a useful set of open questions, inviting the listener to answer and elaborate on the facts.
2. Socratic method steps
Simply stated, Socratic questioning follows the steps below.
Understand the belief.
Ask the person to state clearly their belief/argument.
Sum up the person’s argument.
Play back what they said to clarify your understanding of their position.
Ask for evidence.
Ask open questions to elicit further knowledge and uncover assumptions, misconceptions, inconsistencies, and contradictions.
Upon what assumption is this belief based?
What evidence is there to support this argument?
Challenge their assumptions.
If contradictions, inconsistencies, exceptions, or counterexamples are identified, then ask the person to either disregard the belief or restate it more precisely.
Repeat the process again, if required.
Until both parties accept the restated belief, the process is repeated.
The order may not always proceed as above. However, the steps provide an insight into how the questioning could proceed. Repeat the process to drill down into the core of an issue, thought, or belief.
3. Best friend role-play
Ask the client to talk to you as though they were discussing similar experiences to a friend (or someone else they care about.)
People are often better at arguing against their negative thinking when they are talking to someone they care about.
For example, “Your best friend tells you that they are upset by a difficult conversation or situation they find themselves in. What would you tell them? Talk to me as though I am that person.”
4 Exercises and Worksheets for Your Sessions
1. Socratic question types
The Socratic method relies on a variety of question types to provide the most complete and correct information for exploring issues, ideas, emotions, and thoughts.
Use a mixture of the following question types for the most successful engagement.
Questions regarding an initial question or issue
Answers
What is significant about this question?
|
Is this a straightforward question to answer?
|
Why do you think that?
|
Are there any assumptions we can take from this question?
|
Is there another important question that follows on from this one?
|
Questions about assumptions
Answers
Why would someone assume that X?
|
What are we assuming here?
|
Is there a different assumption here?
|
Are you saying that X?
|
Questions of viewpoint
Answers
Are there alternative views?
|
What might someone who thought X think?
|
How would someone else respond, and why?
|
Questions of clarification
Answers
What do you mean when you say X?
|
Can you rephrase and explain that differently?
|
What is the main issue here?
|
Can you expand that point further?
|
Questions of implication and consequence
Answers
Why do you think this is the case?
|
Is there any other information needed?
|
What led you to that belief?
|
Are there any reasons to doubt the evidence?
|
Questions of evidence and reasoning
Answers
Can you provide an example?
|
Why do you think this is the case?
|
Is there any other information needed?
|
What led you to that belief?
|
Are there any reasons to doubt the evidence?
|
Questions regarding origin
Answers
Have you heard this somewhere?
|
Have you always felt this way?
|
What caused you to feel that way?
|
2. Cognitive restructuring
Ask readers to consider and record answers to several Socratic questions to help challenge their irrational thoughts.
While observing others leading Socratic discussions, use this questioning checklist to capture thoughts and provide feedback.
17 Top-Rated Positive Psychology Exercises for Practitioners
Expand your arsenal and impact with these 17 Positive Psychology Exercises [PDF], scientifically designed to promote human flourishing, meaning, and wellbeing.
To learn more about Socratic questioning and good questioning in general, check out these five books available on Amazon:
The Socratic Method of Psychotherapy – James Overholser (Amazon)
The Thinker’s Guide to Socratic Questioning – Richard Paul and Linda Elder (Amazon)
Thinking Through Quality Questioning: Deepening Student Engagement – Elizabeth D. Sattes and Jackie A. Walsh (Amazon)
Techniques for Coaching and Mentoring – Natalie Lancer, David Clutterbuck, and David Megginson (Amazon)
The Art of Interactive Teaching: Listening, Responding, Questioning – Selma Wassermann (Amazon)
A Take-Home Message
Socratic questioning provides a potent method for examining ideas logically and determining their validity.
Used successfully, it challenges (possibly incorrect) assumptions and misunderstandings, allowing you to revisit and revise what you think and say.
However, like any tool, it is only as good as the person who uses it.
Socratic questioning requires an absence of ego and a level playing field for all who take part. If you are willing to use logical, open questions without a fixed plan, and are prepared to practice, the technique is an effective way of exploring ideas in depth.
The theory, techniques, and exercises we shared will help you to push the boundaries of understanding, often into uncharted waters, and unravel and explore assumptions and misunderstandings behind our thoughts.
Socratic questioning is a method of inquiry that seeks to explore complex ideas, concepts, and beliefs by asking questions that challenge assumptions, clarify meaning, and reveal underlying principles.
What are 5 socratic questions?
The five Socratic questions are:
What do you mean by that?
How do you know?
Can you give me an example?
What are the consequences of that?
What is the counterargument?
How do you explain the socratic method?
The Socratic method is a form of inquiry that involves asking questions to stimulate critical thinking and expose the contradictions in one’s own beliefs.
The method involves a dialogue between two or more people in which the participants seek to understand each other’s beliefs and uncover the truth through a process of questioning and examination.
Chew, S. W., Lin, I. H., & Chen, N. S. (2019). Using Socratic questioning strategy to enhance critical thinking skills of elementary school students. Paper presented at the 2019 IEEE 19th International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT), Maceió, Brazil. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICALT.2019.00088
Clark, G. I., & Egan, S. J . (2015). The Socratic method in cognitive behavioural therapy: A narrative review. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 39(6), 863–879. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-015-9707-3
James, I. A., Morse, R., & Howarth, A. (2010). The science and art of asking questions in cognitive therapy. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 38(1), 83–93. https://doi.org/10.1017/S135246580999049X
Lancer, N., Clutterbuck, D., & Megginson, D. (2016). Techniques for coaching and mentoring (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://www.amazon.com/dp/113891374X/
Neenan, M. (2008). Using Socratic questioning in coaching. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 27(4), 249–264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-007-0076-z
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2016). The thinker’s guide to the art of Socratic questioning. The Foundation for Critical Thinking. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0944583318/
Reis, R. (2003). The Socratic method: What it is and how to use it in the classroom. Tomorrow’s Professor Postings. Retrieved June 10, 2020, from https://tomprof.stanford.edu/posting/810
Walsh, J. A., & Sattes, E. D. (2011). Thinking through quality questioning: Deepening student engagement (1st ed.). Corwin. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1412989027/
Wasserman, S. (2017). The art of interactive teaching: Listening, responding, questioning (1st ed.). Routledge. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1138041173/
About the author
Jeremy Sutton, Ph.D., is an experienced psychologist, coach, consultant, and psychology lecturer. He works with individuals and groups to promote resilience, mental toughness, strength-based coaching, emotional intelligence, wellbeing, and flourishing. Alongside teaching psychology at the University of Liverpool, he is an amateur endurance athlete who has completed numerous ultra-marathons and is an Ironman.
What our readers think
Useful to challenge students to think