A test of Sarbin's self-role congruency theory within a role-playing therapy analogue situation

Explored the application of role playing, as a research technique, in a test of Sarbin's self-role congruency theory. Forty male Ss volunteered to play either the role of a therapist or client in a simulation of psychotherapy. The CPI dominance scale was used to select high dominant Ss to play the role of therapists. Half of these high dominant Ss were instructed in directive therapy (creating a self-role congruent condition with high dominance and directiveness being congruent) and half were instructed in non-directive therapy (creating a self-role incongruent condition). Judges' ratings were used to compare Ss' role playing ability and visible comfort between the self-role congruent and self-role incongruent conditions. The results supported Sarbin's theory of self-role congruence. These findings suggest methodological improvements in psychotherapy research via the use of role playing and have practical implications for the practice of psychotherapy.