Accuracy of perception of psychotherapeutic content as a function of observers' level of facilitation

Eight high-functioning and eight low-functioning Master's-level psychologists viewed 11 1-hour individual therapy sessions. The level of functioning of the psychologists was determined by ratings based on the Carkhuff global level of facilitation scale. After each session the observers completed a Therapy Session Report questionnaire that asked them to indicate what the patient and therapist were feeling and concerned with during the session. Analysis of variance indicated that high-functioning observers were more accurate in their perceptions than low-functioning observers and that all observers were more accurate with regard to their perceptions about the therapist. Results were discussed in terms of the validity of the Carkhuff scales.