A study of pretherapy role induction as an influence process

It is not clear whether the effectiveness of role induction procedures derives from the fact that they (a) provide clients with information about therapy; or (b) serve as a vehicle for influencing attitudes and beliefs about treatment. In this study 17 clients were assigned to one of two pretherapy interview conditions or to a control (no interview) group. In one condition, social influence aspects of the interview were maximized, while in the other they were minimized. Information given about therapy was the same in both circumstances. Results suggest that therapeutic gains were greatest for patients in the high influence condition. Implications are drawn for the conceptualization of role induction procedures.