The effect of computer-conducted versus counselor-conducted initial intake interviews on client expectancy

摘要

This study compared the effect of a computer-conducted intake interview procedure with the same interview conducted by human counselors on clients' expectations concerning the counseling process. Subjects were 38 adults seeking individual counseling services at a university counseling psychology laboratory and were serially assigned to either a computer interview or a human counselor interview condition. The Client Expectancy Inventory (CEI) and selected scales of the Expectations About Counseling (EAC) questionnaire were administered post-intake to assess subjects' expectations for the remainder of counseling. Subjects' comfort with and enjoyment of the interview and the rate of subject return for the first post-intake counseling session were also assessed. Analysis of results revealed no significant differences between the two groups on any of the measures, thus supporting the study's hypotheses. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed.