| Abstract: | Conducted a 2 * 3 factorial nested design study in which 4 counselors provided reinforcement or persuasive advice-giving to increase information seeking by 20 high and 20 low self-esteem undergraduates. A nonactive control group of 10 Ss was included. The 2 experimental groups were scheduled for 2 counseling interviews 1 wk. apart. A 3rd structured interview was scheduled 2 wk. later so all Ss could report their information-seeking behavior outside the interviews. Results demonstrate that behavioral reinforcement counseling is superior to advice-giving on 4 criterion measures: (a) counselees exhibited significantly higher frequency of verbal information-seeking behavior in the interview; (b) they engaged more in eventual information-seeking activities outside the interview (frequency and variety); (c) verbal and "eventual" information-seeking behaviors were significantly and positively correlated (generalization effect); and (d) student-counselor talk ratio was significantly higher. (44 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
