College counselors' use of informal language online: student perceptions of expertness, trustworthiness, and attractiveness.
The purpose of this study was to examine language formality and informality in online counseling sessions. Specifically, the author compared undergraduate student (n = 224) perceptions of college counselors' use of informal language and mirroring of client's formality in four mock online counseling scenarios. A multivariate analysis of covariance found significant differences between conditions. Pairwise analyses revealed that counselors who used informal language following their client's formal expressions were perceived as having less expertise. However, language mirroring seemed to moderate perceptions of expertise when counselors followed their client's informal language use.
Haberstroh
Shane
S
Department of Counseling, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 501 West Durango Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78207, USA. shane.haberstroh@utsa.edu
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003376:Counseling; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012938:Social Perception; D013333:Student Health Services; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult