Premium
Perceptions of behavior and humanistic therapies
Author(s) -
McGovern Henry N.,
Fernald Charles D.,
Calhoun Lawrence G.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(198004)8:2<152::aid-jcop2290080209>3.0.co;2-g
Subject(s) - humanism , perception , affect (linguistics) , psychology , psychotherapist , humanistic psychology , mental health , clinical psychology , medicine , communication , neuroscience , political science , law
The impressions that laypeople have of particular treatment procedures presumably affect the acceptance and application of those procedures. Previous research suggests that behavioral therapies are perceived less favorably than humanistic therapies. In this study, mental health professionals' and university students' reactions to behavioral and humanistic therapy labels were measured along specific dimensions (e.g., warmth, effectiveness) of evaluation. Results indicated that both students and professionals perceived humanistic therapies as warmer and more friendly, but behavior therapies were rated as more effective. Thus, both behavioral and humanistic therapies are sometimes perceived favorably, but from different perspectives. Implications for community applications are discussed.