CLIENT 1: A computer program which simulates client behavior in an initial interview.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to create a general computer program which simulates client behavior in an initial counseling interview..Through interaction with the counselor, a programmed client progresses toward the croal of verbalizing a special problem statement..Client movement is a function of the simulated variables; threat value of counselor and client statements, strength of the relationship, and an index of counselor competence.. The simulation project is valuable as a means of training and evaluation in counselor education and in studying counselor cognitive processes..It also provides an opportunity to test the sufficiency of an explicit set of theoretical constructs for explaining client behavior.

Artificial Intelligence: Implications for the Future of Counseling

“…A third development was the design of CLIENT 1, a program that simulates a 30-year-old, married, male client in an initial interview situation (Hummel, Lichtenberg, & Shaffer, 1975). By examining the strengths and weaknesses of these computer programs, counselors can appreciate the difficult issues that must be solved before any meaningful use of artificial intelligence programs can take place in counseling.…”

“…The third example, CLIENT 1 (Hummel et al, 1975), is somewhat similar to PARRY in that it can discuss a finite number of topics. The topics vary in their predetermined importance and level of threat.…”

Investigating the Effects of Computerized Approaches to Counselor Training

“…Generally the types of skills that are taught to prospective counselors (for example, basic communication and interviewing skills) are unrelated to the types of skills taught to users of computer-assisted counseling systems. Nevertheless, it is important to note that several years ago Hummel, Lichtenberg, and Shaffer (1975) developed a computer-simulated client that had direct implications for counselor training. The client simulated human behavior well enough to allow students to practice interventions without having to worry about how their mistakes would affect another human being.…”

Counselor Training Via Computer

“…The counselor (user) interacts with this "client" through a series of keyboard and screen transactions and, as in a humanto-human interview, the progression of transactions elicits different information from the "client" and takes a different course dependent on what response the counselor selects. An excellent example of this type of system has been developed at the University of Minnesota and has been described in some detail by Hummel, Lichtenberg, and Shaffer (1975) and Shaffer and Hummel (1979). An additional example is available in medical training through "CASE" (A Computer Aided Simulation of the clinical Encounter; Harless, Drennon, Marxer, Root, & Miller, 1971).…”