Therapeutic influence as a function of therapist attire and the seating arrangement in an initial interview.
Investigated the impact of therapist attire and seating arrangement on observers' perceptions of a therapist's attractiveness, expertise, and trustworthiness in an initial interview analogue. Each of 233 undergraduates listened to an audiotaped interview segment while viewing a synchronized slide presentation of a male therapist in one of four conditions cross-matched on attire formality (coat and tie vs. sports shirt) and seating arrangement (behind desk vs. no desk). Significant effects emerged for therapist attire, seating arrangement, and S gender. The casual attire/no desk setting elicited the highest attraction ratings, and the effects of the seating arrangement were mediated by the S gender. Females responded to the behind-desk arrangement with lower ratings of the therapist across all measures. Initial impressions, which were influenced by the therapist's attire and seating arrangement, were correlated highly with Ss' willingness to see this therapist for consultation.
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003020:Clothing; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010550:Personal Space; D011361:Professional Competence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012931:Social Environment