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The effects of therapeutic conditions: Positive results revisited
Author(s) -
SHAPIRO D. A.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
british journal of medical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 0007-1129
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8341.1976.tb02383.x
Subject(s) - psychology , outcome (game theory) , empathy , possessive , psychotherapist , aside , clinical psychology , social psychology , art , linguistics , philosophy , mathematics , literature , mathematical economics
This paper surveys evidence relating the 'therapeutic conditions' of Accurate Empathy, Non-Possessive Warmth and Genuineness to psychotherapeutic outcome. The studies reviewed include comparisons of 'good' therapy with no-treatment control groups, and correlational studies relating levels of 'conditions' to outcome. Even leaving aside the question of the validity of the outcome measures used, it is concluded that present evidence suggests no more than a weak relationship between these 'conditions' and patient improvement. It is suggested that a methodologically adequate, experimental, demonstration of their effectiveness has yet to be attempted.