The Role of Epistemic Style in Counseling Preference and Orientation

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-1993

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Recent work has suggested that philosophical commitments play apart in directing preferences for different types of counseling, and in this article the authors extend that work with a series of four studies. Study 1 provides partial support for the relationship between epistemic commitments (rational, empirical, or metaphorical) and preferences for particular types of counseling (behavioral, rational emotive, constructivist). Studies 2 and 3 extend these findings by noting differences in how individuals gather, process, and respond to self-relevant feedback as a result of epistemic style. Finally, Study 4 provides tentative support for the possibility that counselor trainees gravitate toward preferring counseling theories that are consistent with their own epistemic orientations. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.

Publication Title

Journal of Counseling and Development

Volume

71

Issue

5

First Page

515

Last Page

523

Find in your library

Share

COinS