Differential meaning of the role of action control in insight and action oriented therapies

This paper investigates the role of action control asa psychotherapy proces s variable. In a 4 x 2 x 4 research design with the factors thgrapy outcome , psychotherapy condition and time the differential effect of action contro l is examined. We differentiated between ach-on-oriented and insight-orient ed psychotherapies with a distinctively action-focused and a distinctively insight focused approach, and two conditions with a more mixed focus on the se dimensions The results indicated a differential effect of action control in regard to therapeutic outcome. A two-way interaction between insight an d action focused therapy condition, passage of time and outcome was found f or state-orientation However, there was no main effect for action orientati on in respect to outcome for any of the conditions. The results are discussed referring to Heckhausen's "Rubikon model", specif ically with respect to differential treatment indication.