Call number: LD2668 .T4 1955 M49 / Master of Science

One purpose of this study was to present a theoretical model for research in counseling, involving matching counselor and client variables, expressed as: Counselor effectiveness is a function of the interaction of counselor characteristics and client characteristics. The second purpose, examination of the interaction effect of counselor and client variables in the counseling relationship, was an application of the model. The counselor and client characteristic selected was dogmatism; and the experimental problem was to determine if the overall effectiveness of a counseling interaction is significantly influenced by matching counselor and client on dogmatism level.Volunteers were solicited from seven classes of a graduate level counseling course taught concurrently in a counselor education program for Americans stationed with the United States Military in West Germany. This sample was administered the Rokeach Dogmatism Scale, Form E, to determine dogmatism level for matching counselor-client dyads. The mean of the total sample of scores obtained on this scale, 127.1, divided the sample into two groups, 72 low and 73 high dogmatic subjects.Based on the scores from this instrument, the 145 subjects were randomly matched with persons of either similar or dissimilar dogmatism levels according to the high and low dogmatic pools in each class. In the matching procedure, the subjects were also randomly assigned to one of two roles, counselor or client. This procedure produced four different dyad-type groups:counselor low dogmatic / client low dogmatic; (2) counselor low dogmatic / client high dogmatic; (3) counselor high dogmatic / client low dogmatic;(4) counselor high dogmatic / client high dogmatic.One week after the initial testing for dogmatism levels, the students were again asked to voluntarily participate in an experimental study. From these 109 male and female volunteers, 54 dyads formed by the earlier matching procedure were given audio-cassette tapes with their assigned roles and instructions regarding these roles. They then taped a 30 minute counseling session. After two dyads were deselected for statistical purposes, there were thirteen dyads in each of the four dyad-type groups. Subjects were debriefed following the experiment and anonymity was guarded throughout the study.To investigate counselor effectiveness, the Gross Facilitative Interpersonal Functioning Scale was used to rate counseling effectiveness. Four male and five female raters were trained in the use of the scale. Three 3-minute segments from each of the 30 minute taped sessions were rated from three master tapes, three raters per tape. Criteria were specified for the 3-minute segments and the recording of the master tapes.Analyses of the three hypotheses of the study, using a two-way analysis of variance, showed no main effect significance and a significant interaction effect. Analysis of the interaction effect and additional post hoc analysis indicated a significant interaction effect based on similarity of dogmatism levels in counselor-client dyads when compared to dissimilarly matched counselor-client dyads.When the conclusions of the study were viewed in the context of the theoretical model, it appeared that the matching model may be a useful construct for future research in counseling. In view of the problem of this study, the findings indicated that counselor effectiveness maybe a function of the interaction of similar counselor and client dogmatism levels and not a function of a particular dogmatism level in either counselor or client. If supported by further research, the implication of this finding is that counseling effectiveness might be enhanced by considering counselor and client level of dogmatism when client assignments are made and by matching counselor and client on dogmatism level.

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The purpose of the study was to construct and test a theoretical subjective authority continuum model for institutions of higher education. The model designed consisted of two major parts:(1) a model for the classification of subordinates according to one of 16 subordinate types and (2) a subjective authority continuum presented as a horizontal line along which three interrelated zones expand and contract. The three zones on the subjective authority continuum are: (1) zone of indifference, (2) zone of analysis, and (3) zone of rejection.The zone of indifference is characterized as when subordinates carry out administrative requirements without resistance, or thought. The zone of analysis means the subordinate will analyze administrative requirements before complying or not complying. The zone of rejection means the subordinate will not willingly comply with an administrative requirement.Testing of the model was accomplished through the use ofquestionnaire type instrument. Thirty nine potential respondents were sent packets. Each packet included a test instrument. Twenty one of the selectees responded by returning the test instruments. The respondents were selected according to predetermined criteria. No individual identification of respondents was sought or received.The analysis of the responses was accomplished as follows:(1) The respondent was identified according to subordinate type. Subordinate type was determined by specific responses to four questions in part one of the test instrument. The four questions were relevant to three conditions: (a) superior-subordinate relationships, (b) personal professional values, and (c) attitudinal uniformity. There were three levels of combinations which resulted in 16 possible subordinate types. A respondent was identified as one subordinate type only.(2) Four specific situations were then given to respondents. That is, the four questions in part two of the instrument were designed to relate to four situations involving conflict, or a lack of conflict, of the three conditions determined as representative of subjective authority. That is, superior-subordinate relationships, personal professional values, and attitudinal uniformity.(3) Three responses were given for selection and a comments section was provided. The three given responses related directly to the three zones along the subjective authority continuum. The three responses and corrollary zones were:(1) I would ordinarily comply--representative of zone of indifference.(2) I would ordinarily take under advisement-representative of the zone of analysis.(3) I would ordinarily reject--representative of the zone of rejection.Analysis of the data supported the notion that subordinates can be identified according to type, and that subjective authority does exist within the academic department of the institution of higher education where the study was conducted. Further, operating professionals are sensitive to the three conditions given as necessary for subjective authority to exist. The majority o the respondents indicated a strong preference for superiors to demonstrate a high consideration for subordinates, while preferences for task involvement by superiors in tasks performed by subordinates was mixed. A majority of the respondents also indicated strong influence from personal professional values while all of the respondents which were identified by type, indicated strong influence from colleague attitudinal uniformity.The model is not intended to be a panacea. Other models, theories, and concepts should be considered when using the subjective authority continuum mode.