Preferences and self-disclosure in relation to psychotherapist professional and ethnic identification

This study examined the effects of psychotherapist ethnicity and expertise on preferences and self-disclosure. Thirty-four white Anglo American college students, 20 male and 14 female, listened to one of two matched psychotherapy tapes. The therapist was identified by background introductions as being either professional or nonprofessional and as either of Anglo American or Mexican American ethnicity. After hearing the tape, the Ss' perceptions and willingness to talk to the therapist were measured on a self-disclosure scale and an attitude-toward-therapist scale. Ss showed significantly higher self-disclosure to the therapist introduced as an Anglo American professional. The Mexican American nonprofessional also received significantly higher negative attitude-toward-therapist scores compared to the other therapist conditions.