Empathic-cognitive development in students of counseling

Empathy is both crucial to counseling and a desired outcome in higher educa tion. Since the 1960s, many studies have examined the relationship between stages of adult cognitive development and level of empathy, particularly in counselors. Though positive, findings related to this critical research fo cus have been grounded in small, local samples, leading several investigato rs to call for a replication using a large, national sample. In response, t his study surveyed 340 graduate student members of a large professional cou nseling association across the United States. Results indicated that more m ature forms of thought (according to the Ferry scheme) are associated with higher empathy levels (Hogan scale). Implications are drawn for adult devel opment theory, education of counselors, and higher education reform.