Differential effectiveness of interviewer interventions in an experimental interview.

Abstract

This study explored the effects of 3 different E interventions on the conditioning of Ss' verbal behavior in an experimental interview. The interview was divided into 2 10-min. periods: operant level and acquisition. During the 2nd period, E responded to Ss' positive or negative self-references with either approval-supportive, reflection-restatement, or open disclosure statements. The 3 types of E responses were found to be differentially effective in influencing Ss' self-references: (a) Approval-supportive statements were ineffective; (b) the reflection technique was effective only with negative self-references; (c) open disclosure by E was effective, with both positive and negative selfreferences. The study demonstrated the feasibility of using an experimental interview situation in the investigation of the differential effectiveness of interview techniques.

A Review of the Interpersonal Influence Process in Counseling

“…One counselor behavior that has received a great deal of attention is self-disclosure. Within counseling, researchers have identified both positive and negative outcomes of counselor self-disclosure (Dies, 1973;Jourard, 1971;Powell, 1968;Weigel & Warnath, 1968). Within the counseling interpersonal influence literature, counselor self-disclosures in general have been found to increase perceptions of counselor attractiveness (Merluzzi et al, 1978;Nilsson et al, 1979).…”

The influence of interviewer self-disclosure and verbal reinforcement on personality tests

“…Self-disclosure on the part of either the experimenter or a separate model has been shown to increase significantly S self-disclosure (cf. Doster, 1972;Doster & Brooks, 1974;Marlatt, 1971;McAllister & Kiesler, 1975;Powell, 1968). Increase in S disclosure due to experimenter self-disclosure carries over within an interview (Jourard & Jaffe, 1970), which supports the assertion that a prior interview may affect ensuing testing.…”

Discussion Papers

“…Additional evidence of the power of self-disclosure is noted in Powell's (1968) finding that interviewers' responses of open disclosure modified interviewees' self-references more effectively than either approval-supportive or reflectiverestatement responses in a study of verbal conditioning.…”