The effects of referent power method, subject self-esteem, and viewing orientation on counselor referent power and client adherence

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of two referent power-inducing methods on counselor referent power level and subject adherence to counselor directives for change. The Janis (1982) method and the Strong and Matross (1973) method were compared against an active listening control group. Subject self-esteem level and the orientation from which the treatment films were viewed were expected to moderate this impact. The subjects were 120 undergraduate women who were assigned to a combination of referent power method and viewing orientation treatment groups on a random basis. Their self-esteem scores were divided at the median to create high and low groups. Data were analyzed in a series of 3 x 2 x 2 (Referent Power Method x Self-Esteem x Viewing Orientations) factorial analyses of variance.The referent power methods were found to build counselor referent power level differentially through subject self-esteem level. The Janis method generated the highest levels of client adherence and showed a statistically significant main effect for one adherence variable. Finally, viewing orientation and subject self-esteem level interacted to affect subject adherence. The subject-as-client viewing orientation was supported as a treatment that simulated real counseling conditions in laboratory-analogue research.