PERSONAL EPISTEMOLOGIES AND PREFERENCES FOR RATIONALIST VERSUS CONSTRUCTIVIST PSYCHOTHERAPIES

In 2 studies, the relationship between epistemic beliefs and therapeut ic preferences was addressed. In Study 1, participants' primary episte mic orientation (constructivist or rationalist, derived from R. DiGius eppe & J. Linscott's 1993 Therapist Attitudes Questionnaire) predicted their preference ratings for 3 psychotherapy orientations (metaphoric al, rational, behavioral). Study 2 provided a factor analysis and revi sion of the questionnaire and then applied this in the context of prac ticing psychotherapists. Results showed that rationalist beliefs were positively related to therapists' descriptions of their own therapy an d their identification with prominent rationalist therapists, and cons tructivist beliefs were related to an identification with prominent co nstructivist therapists. Implications of these findings are discussed.