Preference for counseling and psychotherapy as related to preoedipal fixation

S. Juni, R. Lo Cascio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Preference for a particular mode of psychotherapy was hypothesized to relate to psychoanalytically derived characterological attributes of the potential client. Specifically, psychoanalysis was seen as a mode which enhances dependency within the client and fosters an air of intimacy in the treatment, while behavior therapy was seen as consonant with a more aloof stance between client and therapist, involving concrete and rigid procedures. It was hypothesized that oral fixation within clients would correlate with a preference for psychoanalysis while anal fixation would correlate with a preference for behavior therapy. 87 students took the Rorschach (which was content-scored for fixation) and also indicated preferences for psychoanalysis, behavior therapy, and client-centered therapy. Results confirmed the hypothesized relationships, but these accounted only for a small proportion of the variance. An unhypothesized relationship emerged between sadistic fixation and a bias against behavior therapy. Conceptual suggestions are offered to interpret these findings, and an unexpected sex difference in the correlations, within the context of psychosexual theory.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)431-438
Number of pages8
JournalPsychological reports
Volume56
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1985

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Preference for counseling and psychotherapy as related to preoedipal fixation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this