A study of personality factors which influence client-counselor acceptance

This study reports the results of an experiment in which a group of counselors undergoing training were presented to a number of clients in a brief interview situation. After each interview the clients rated the counselors accordint to their preference for them as a counselor. On the basis of preferences expressed by the clients the counselors were divided into two groups which were designated as accepted and unaccepted. These two groups were compared for differences in traits as revealed by a variety of psychological tests. The idea being that if significant differences were found between the accepted and unaccepted groups, information would be provided that would be useful in the selection and training of prospective counselors. It was found that neither the age of the counselors nor their intelligence, as measured by the California Test of Mental Maturity (Short Form), showed any significant differences between the groups; nor did the comparisons made for the two Reaction Scales or the two administrations of the Acceptance Scale yield any significant result. The results of six standardized paper and pencil tests ware analyzed, including the A-S Reaction Study, The Personal Audit, the California Test of Personality, Adult Form A, the three scales of the Guilford-Martin Inventory, A Study of Values, and the Kuder Preference Record (Vocational). Of the forty- two comparisons made between the groups for the factors measured by these tests, only Seriousness for the men, as measured by the Personal Audit, and Objectivity, as measured by the Guilford-Martin, gave significant t ratios. From seventy-two comparisons for the two groups of counselors for the factors of The Szondi Test, six significant Chi-square values were obtained; the accepted group showing a significantly higher minus s, and unloaded minus s, and the unaccepted group showing a significantly higher plus-minus p, plus-minus d, minus e, and unloaded minus e. Recognizing the limits of the instruments of measurement used, the following conclusions were made: 1. In general, the accepted counselors were those who showed the more objectivity and the more acceptance of themselves and who displayed a more adult reaction to aggressive feelings. 2. In general, the unaccepted counselors were those who showed more feelings of indecision and conflict; more aggressive feelings and less control In handling these feelings.