The therapist with similar attitudes was seen as more qualified, higher in interpersonal attraction, and more likeable. Subjects were more willing to recommend or seek therapy from these therapists. Significant interaction indicated that male subjects were more affected by the degree of attitude similarity. (Author)

Male and female interviewers who were introduced as expert or nonexpert met individually with undergraduates. Male experts were rated lower in social attractiveness; however, introductions did not affect either perceived expertness or trustworthiness. Reasonably competent therapist behavior may neutralize differential expertness; expertness may…

Investigated the impact of therapist attire and seating arrangement on observers' perceptions of a therapist's attractiveness, expertise, and trustworthiness. Undergraduates (N=233) listened to an audiotaped interview while viewing a slide presentation. The casual attire/no desk setting elicited the highest attraction ratings, mediated by the…

Used a mathematical simulation procedure adaptable to an interactional concept of personality to predict the interpersonal compatibility of couples. Strife scores derived from computer simulation of interactional personality data correlated significantly with partner ratings for the quality and the stability of their relationship. Significance…

Subjects rated a described mental-health professional on credibility and attraction. Varied fee and title in the descriptions. Results indicated subjects were not affected by fee except in willingness to seek therapy. The psychiatrist was consistently rated higher than the counselor, who was rated over the clinical psychologist. (Author/JAC)

Examined depressed and nondepressed students' perceptions of their parents' standards and evaluations. Data supported the hypotheses that depressogenic parents negatively evaluate their offspring and depressive offspring show lowered self-evaluations. Discusses results in terms of interpersonal attraction theory and mutual influencability in…

Investigated client self-disclosure and client perception of counselors. Subjects rated counselors on intelligence and empathy, and while role-playing clients in therapy. Clients disclosed more to male counselors when counselors were high in status or attractiveness. Suggests the effect of counselor gender depends on an interaction with other…