Although problem solving is central to the counseling process, investigators have not developed a technology for helping clients with these skills (Horan, 1979). There is a dearth of information on the subject (Heppner, Reeder, & Larson, 1983). Why do psychotherapists often see bright, articulate individuals who appear inept in solving interpersonal problems? This study considered whether dysfunctional belief systems may block an effective interpersonal problem solving process. / Specifically, the relationship between the metacognitive variable of self-efficacy and social problem solving skills was examined. / A sample of 110 female students enrolled in Human Relations classes volunteered to complete the Self-Efficacy Scale (Sherer & Maddux, 1982). Then, the Means-Ends Problem Solving Procedures (MEPS) Platt & Spivack, 1975 was administered. The mean age of subjects was 21.45 with a range from 18-37. / Chi-square results revealed that there was no statistical association between these two groups of scores (p = .2276). The level of significance for this study was p < .05. / The Pearson Product Moment Correlation between the MEPS and the Self-Efficacy Scale is 0.1524 with a p value of 0.056. Although this value is almost significant at the .05 level the proportion of variance that is explained (.02%) by the Self-Efficacy Scale on the MEPS is quite small, thus reinforcing the results found on the cross-tabulation. / Implications for future research in the areas of metacognitive variables and social problem solving as well as limitations of the study were discussed. Research in this area needs to contribute to the development of a technology of identification and measurement of metacognitive barriers to social problem solving ability. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-12, Section: A, page: 4289. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75955 |
| Contributors | COOPER, LINDA DEFINA., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 135 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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