EFFECTS OF PRESESSION INFORMATION ON PERCEPTION OF THERAPIST AND RECEPTIVITY TO INFLUENCE IN A PSYCHOTHERAPY ANALOGUE

Investigated the idea that presession information can change Ss' evaluations and perceptions of a therapy session. 112 undergraduates were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups and given different information with regard to a therapist's warmth and experience. Following structuring, all Ss listened to the same tape of a therapy session. Measures obtained following the tape revealed that Ss structured warm or experienced, as opposed to cold or inexperienced, were more attracted to the therapist, more receptive to his influence, evaluated his work more positively, were more willing to meet with the therapist, and more persuaded by his communications. The findings support the notion that premeeting information can affect the therapy relationship. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.