Prediction versus reflection in therapist demonstrations of understanding: a replication with clinical cases.

Abstract

Previous analogue research with college students shows that therapists who make accurate predictions of their patient's behaviour are judged as more demonstrative of understanding their patient's problems than therapists who make reflections or request further information. The present study replicated this research and extended it by using psychotherapy out-patients as subjects. Similar findings were obtained. Further, therapists who employed accurate predictions were judged as more likely to mediate successful therapeutic outcomes.