The cognitive mediational paradigm for research on counseling.

Abstract

Arguments are presented for obtaining relatively direct data on counselor and client cognitive processes during counseling when conducting research on counseling outcomes. A theory of cognitive processing in counseling is presented, and a research paradigm is described that considers cognitive processes and attempts to link such processes to the interactive behaviors of counselors and clients and to client learning outcomes. Some of the methodological and conceptual issues related to the operationalization of this cognitive mediational paradigm are considered, and a few illustrative research programs are described. Possible implications for counseling theory and practice are explored briefly.

A Framework for Creating a Climate of Transparency for Professional Performance Assessment: Fostering Student Investment in Gatekeeping

“…Research has suggested that a climate of openness and transparency in professional performance assessment during counselor preparation may be critical to students' accurate perceptions of the assessment process, their trust in relationships with faculty members, and most importantly, their future willingness to preserve the ethical integrity of the counseling profession through an active gatekeeping role. Martin (1984) used the term transparency to describe the accuracy of client perceptions of counselor intentions. Applied to counselor education, transparency refers to the accuracy of student counselors' perceptions of the intentions of a counselor education program.…”

Social influence research in counseling: A review and critique.

“…Thus, most of the previous social influence research has treated the client as a rather passive agent. Recently in both counseling and clinical psychology, writers have conceptualized counseling as an exchange of information, with the client as an active processor of information (Heppner, 1989;Heppner & Krauskopf, 1987;Hollon & Kriss, 1984;Martin, 1984Martin, , 1987. We suspect that client characteristics will become more prominent variables in the change process as clients are conceptualized in this way and as client characteristics are examined in relation to the amount and type of information processed, cognitively and affectively.…”

“…We recommend that the client be conceptualized as an active processor of information within the influence process (Heppner, 1989;Heppner & Krauskopf, 1987;Martin, 1984Martin, , 1987McGuire, 1985;Petty & Cacioppo, 1986). It is unknown how clients process information they receive in counseling, and how this may either facilitate or hinder therapeutic changes.…”

“…Whereas more recent attitude change theories in social psychology, like the ELM, now conceptualize attitude change in terms of cognitive mediation, there has been little testing of the generalizability of these theories within actual counseling. We believe the ELM, traditional information processing models (e.g., Anderson, 1983), and applied information processing models (e.g., Heppner & Krauskopf, 1987;Martin, 1984Martin, , 1987 hold considerable promise in furthering our understanding of how clients actively process the counseling experience. It is also important to note that client change, in part, involves a host of psychological defenses that greatly affect the change process in rational and irrational ways (e.g., denial and displacement).…”

Effective group leadership: Continuing the search for greater clarity and understanding

“…1985;Martin, 1984;Morran, Kurpius & Brack, 1989). They have, however, received little attention within the group work field.…”