The primary focus of this study was to investigate whether or not there was a significant relationship between counselor level of effectiveness, as measured by the Carkhuff-Berenson Scales, and: (1) the age of the counselor, (2) the sex of the counselor, (3) the number of courses taken in a given counselor training program, and (4) the number of counseling sessions (experience) completed by the counselor. An additional categorical variable, status (military or civilian) of the counselor was considered.The study is a result of information provided by 158 volunteer counselors in the Ball State University European Program during the Winter of 1971. Each counselor submitted a completed questionnaire and one tape recording of a counseling session made during the eighth week of their course in practicum. Each of these tapes were rated for counselor effectiveness using the Carkhuff-Berenson Scales of empathy, respect, genuineness, and concreteness. Variables used to predict effectiveness were age, sex, status, number of courses taken in a given counselor training program, and number of counseling sessions experienced by the counselor.Means and standard deviations of each of the predictor variables were presented. A simple correlation matrix was constructed to show the degree of relationship between each of the predictor variables. A multiple regression analysis was used in an attempt to predict the effects of each of the variables. The first regression analysis showed prediction values of counselor effectiveness using only the first three variables (age, sex, and status). The second step of the regression analysis showed the prediction values of counselor effectiveness using the four variables of age, sex, status, and number of courses taken. The third step of the regression analysis showed prediction values for counselor effectiveness using all five variables, age, sex, status, number of courses taken, and number of sessions experienced by the counselor. No significant values were found.Four null hypotheses were investigated at the .05 level of significance. None of the four hypotheses were rejected.The findings from this study were:1. Counselors-in-training will not receive higher rated scores for empathy, respect, genuineness, or concreteness, as measured by the Carkhuff-Berenson Scales, when the age of the counselor is considered and those ages fall between 23 and 54 years of age. The age of the counselor (provided it falls between 23 and 54) then, cannot be used as a valid predictor when attempting to predict counselor effectiveness.2. Counselors-in-training will not receive higher rated scores for empathy, respect, genuineness, or concreteness, as measured by the Carkhuff-Berenson Scales, when the sex of the counselor is considered. The sex of the counselor then, cannot be used as a valid predictor when attempting to predict counselor effectiveness.3. Counselors-in-training will not receive higher rated scores for empathy, respect, genuineness, or concreteness, as measured by the Carkhuff-Berenson Scales, when the number of courses taken in a given counselor training program are increased. The number of courses taken in a given counselor training program then (when the number of courses fall between 2 and 10) cannot be used as a valid predictor when attempting to predict counselor effectiveness.4. Counselors-in-training will not receive higher rated scores for empathy, respect, genuineness, or concreteness, as measured by the Carkhuff-Berenson Scales, when the number of counseling sessions experienced by the counselor (provided that the number of counseling sessions falls between 5 and 50) is increased. It appears then, that provided the number of counseling sessions do fall between 5 and 50, the effectiveness of that counselor cannot be predicted using those number of sessions as a variable.It was concluded that counselors-in-training be allowed to take the course in practicum after having completed the two prerequisite courses of Theories of Counseling and Techniques of Counseling, as the analysis of data provided no indications that the number of courses taken made any significant difference, based on the Carkhuff-Berenson Scales.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/177665 |
| Date | January 1975 |
| Creators | Lemoine, Edward J. |
| Contributors | Hutchinson, Roger L. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | vii, 107 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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