Differential Perceptions of Counseling Role
Counseling psychology has experienced growth and changes the past few years which have had considerable effect upon people working within the field. However, one can wonder to what extent a corresponding awareness of this change has occurred among people outside this specialty who deal with counselors. It seems likely that those who have not been closely involved with the recent developments in counseling psychology probably will have differing perceptions because of inadequate appreciation of the developments in this area. It is proposed here that various relevant people have differing perceptions of the present nature of the counseling psychologist's function and the present study attempts to identify and further the understanding of some of these differences so that counselors may deal more effectively with them. Previous studies of problems appropriate for counseling or of attitudes toward counseling typically have examined but a single point of view, most often that of the counselee (Danskin, 1955; Davis, 1953; Fory & Black, 1954; Form, 1952; Friedenburg, 1950; Grant, 1954; Grigg & Goodstein, 1957; Hood, 1953; Kiell, 1957; Koile & Bird, 1956; Thrush, 1957). Studies that compare attitudes of counselee and counselor have been concerned with evaluation of counseling which already has occurred (Callis, Polmantier & Roeber, 1957; Richardson, 1954). Comparative studies have not been made of views held by different groups about kinds of problems considered appropriate for discussion at counseling centers. Specifically, this study seeks to identify the counseling role of the University Coun1This paper is based upon a doctoral dissertation completed at The Ohio State University in 1958 under the direction of F. P. Robinson. seling and Testing Center, located on the Ohio State University campus, as this role is perceived by various relevant campus people, including the Center's professional staff, other student personnel workers, teaching faculty, and students before and after counseling. This role is defined in terms of the problems which various people believe are appropriate for discussion with counselors. It is expected that various groups of people hold significantly different views as to what constitutes appropriate problems. An attempt has been made to identify what these views seem to be and how they may differ both within a group and from one group to another. Procedure