Dysfunction occurs when one person's behavior has control over others or when one person allows others to control him/her through the use of manipulative rules accompanied by self-defeating behaviors in the emotional, psychological, or behavioral realms. Examples of people who are dysfunctional among student services personnel include the person…

Numerous studies on the effects of common and unusual names reveal contradictory findings. Some studies conclude that an unusual first name or surname is detrimental to a person's self-concept; other studies conclude that an unusual first name, especially if it is a surname, cause no ill-effects on a person's psychological well-being. College…

Initial impressions of a counselor's credibility and attractiveness may affect the development of rapport as well as client attrition. Recent research has focused on contextual clues in the counseling setting which may influence client perceptions. The effects of counselor attire and the seating arrangement were examined in a counseling analogue…

Compares scores on the Omnibus Personality Inventory by groups of relatively effective and ineffective trainees. Trainees completed tests prior to first practicum experience and were evaluated by practicum supervisors at the end of each practica. Data revealed significant differences in personality characteristics of the groups. (Author)

The effects of training counselors for the core therapeutic conditions of empathy, warmth, and genuineness were studied in terms of increased levels of actualizing as measured by the Personal Orientation Inventory. Results support the discriminant validity of the inventory. (JKS)

Examined the relationship between beginning therapists' personalities and their evaluations of three divergent family therapy styles. Sixty clinical and counseling psychology students completed the Adjective Checklist and three friends/family members rated them. Self-rated personality factors of dominant-masculinity and nurturant-femininity were…

Replicated and extended the Atkinson, Furlong, and Poston (1986) investigation that examined Black subjects' preferences for salient similar and dissimilar counselor characteristics within a disconfirmatory hypothesis-testing strategy framework. Found a high rank-order correlation between two samples on preferences for counselor characteristics.…

A tentative classification was derived by identifying specific beliefs and practice behaviors that discriminate among six theoretical orientations. From a sample of 199 practicing social workers from 133 mental health, family service, and medical centers, two dimensions were formed: active-interactional versus reflective individual and the…

Examined the preferred counselor characteristics of two groups: students with disabilities and students who were educationally and economically disadvantaged. Counselor characteristics were examined in terms of how preferences are differentially expressed for help with personal-social versus vocational-educational concerns. (Author/BH)

Examined the influence of counselor sex on students' (N=188) expectations of counselor expertness and understanding. Results showed most students expressed no gender preference for vocational problems, but women showed a pattern of preferring a woman counselor for some personal problems. (JAC)

Reexamined the relationship of self-designation of race to preference for counselor race in 160 Black students. Results rejected the use of self-designated race labels as a reliable method of predicting student preference for counselor race, suggesting the influence of changes in the social and political climate. (JAC)

Studied the influence of counselor expertness and attractiveness in overcoming opposition to career counseling in two studies involving 36 college students and 45 high school students. Results showed the expert role was more effective in producing attitude change than the attractive role and suggested the need for counselor flexibility. (WAS)

Investigated preference for counselor race and sex, client sex, likelihood of using the counseling center, and problem type for Native American college students (N=62). Both females and males demonstrated a strong preference for Native American counselors, regardless of problem situation. Likelihood of using the counseling center increased as…

Searched for interaction between quality of counseling skills (presence or absence of empathy, genuineness, and positive regard) and physical attractiveness as determinants of counseling effectiveness. Attractiveness influenced perceived effectiveness of counselor's skill. Analyses of expectancy data revealed that only with good skills did…

Examined effects and relative contribution of three counselor behaviors (nonverbal behavior, jargon, and attire) on perceived expertise and attractiveness. Results revealed that all three independent variables significantly affected the two rated dimensions. Nonverbal behavior accounted for most of the variance and differentially affected ratings…