Differential meaning of the role of action control in insight and action oriented therapies

This paper investigates the role of action control asa psychotherapy process variable. In a 4 x 2 x 4 research design with the factors thgrapy outcome, psychotherapy condition and time the differential effect of action control is examined. We differentiated between ach-on-oriented and insight-oriented psychotherapies with a distinctively action-focused and a distinctively insight focused approach, and two conditions with a more mixed focus on these dimensions The results indicated a differential effect of action control in regard to therapeutic outcome. A two-way interaction between insight and action focused therapy condition, passage of time and outcome was found for state-orientation However, there was no main effect for action orientation in respect to outcome for any of the conditions. The results are discussed referring to Heckhausen's "Rubikon model", specifically with respect to differential treatment indication.