A method for monitoring the impact of sex-role stereotypes on the therapeutic behavior of beginning psychotherapists

Abstract

A methodology for assessing the therapeutic behavior of trainees is described, and results of a pilot study are presented. Findings suggest that female therapists are likely at the outset to be less confident, directive, and interpretive and more inclined to conform to stereotypic feminine traits of passivity, warmth, and nurturance; males displayed no such clear pattern, and used both active and passive styles in therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)

Full text

Amer.
J.
0rthop.s~~c.hicit.
52(3).
July
I982
A
METHOD
FOR
MONITORING THE IMPACT
BEHAVIOR
OF
BEGINNING PSYCHOTHERAPISTS
OF
SEX-ROLE STEREOTYPES ON THE THERAPEUTIC
Sara
Yogev,
Ph.D., and
William
R.
Shadish,
Jr.,
Ph.D.
A
tnc~thodology jbr ussrssing the therapeutic behavior
of
truinws is
de-
sc-rihed,
mid
results
of
u
pilot study are presented. Findings suggest that
.fi.mcilc
therupists ure likely
at
the outset
to
be less c.onfidc.nt, directiw
,
and
interpretive and more inclined
to
conform
to
stereotypic feminine traits
qf
pussivity, Mlarmth, and nurturance; males displayed
no
such
clear pattern,
and used both active and passive styles in therapy.
herapists. irrespective of their
theoretical orientations and per-
sonality differences, share certain basic
conceptions. Being a psychotherapist
means, on one hand, being an empathic
listener, providing basic acceptance,
understanding, and trust. On the other
hand, being a psychotherapist means
being active, analytical, and in charge of
guiding the diemx The aspect of em-
pathic understanding is consonant with
the nurturant, expressive sex-role stereo-
type of females
in
our society; it re-
quires the therapist
to
be sensitive to
the client's feelings,
to
understand and
to
follow the client. The aspect of being
active, providing objective interpreta-
tions, is consonant
with
the authoritat-
ive instrumental sex-role stereotype of
males
in
our society:
it
requires the
therapist to be
in
charge and to show the
client the dynamics "below the sur-
face."2*
The purpose of this study is to de-
velop a methodology
to
monitor thera-
peutic behavior of beginning psycho-
therapists
in
relation to sex-role stereo-
typic behavior. The focus is to develop
a means to assess how sex-role stereo-
types affect therapeutic interventions
and influence clinical work along the
two aspects mentioned earlier.
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