Effects of value-communication style and similarity of values on counselor evaluation.

Compared the nature of client reactions to an explicit as opposed to an implicit counselor communication of values and examined the effects of S–counselor value similarity on S's perceptions of and confidence in the counselor. 120 female undergraduates listened to a 15-min, audiotaped counseling interview in which the counselor was either explicit or implicit about her values and expressed either a pro or con attitude toward premarital sex. Ss were also divided into 2 groups (pro and con) on the basis of their attitudes toward premarital sex. Two control groups listened to a tape in which both the explicit and implicit value references were deleted. Results indicate no significant differences in the way explicit and implicit counselors were perceived. However, Ss were more willing to see a counselor with whom they agreed on the values issue than one with whom they disagreed. Ss hearing the explicit counselor value statement rated the counselor as more attractive and trustworthy when they agreed with her stated values than when they disagreed with them. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)