EFFECTS OF STRUCTURING ON STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS OF CAREER COUNSELING

This study examines the effects of the use of structuring on participa nts' impressions of a counselor during an initial career counseling se ssion. A total of 232 undergraduate students viewed a videotape of an initial career counseling session. Both groups observed the identical tape with the exception that one group was additionally shown a brief structuring segment. The 2 groups were compared across the variables o f attractiveness, expertness, and trustworthiness as measured by the C ounselor Rating Form. The participants were also asked to rate their w illingness to see a counselor about a career issue before and after vi ewing the videotape. Significant differences were found across the dep endent measures. Implications of the findings for counselors are discu ssed.