Because the variables in the psychotherapy situation have different effects in different contexts, observational as well as laboratory studies are needed in our present state of knowledge. Observational studies are also of value in leading us to the right variables and in helping us to assess the relative importance of variables. Observation of therapy often makes us aware of the importance of experimenter-subject relationships. Good laboratory studies need not be simulations of therapy; the laboratory can lift out and study in isolation, variables found to be pertinent to therapy.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
DittesJ. E.Galvanic skin response as a measure of patient's reaction to therapist's permissiveness. J. abnorm. soc. Psychol., 1957, 55, 295–303.
2.
FisherC.Studies on the nature of suggestion: Part I. Experimental induction of dreams by direct suggestion. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Ann, 1953, 1, 222–255.
3.
GreenspoonJ.The reinforcing effect of two spoken sounds on the frequency of two responses. Amer. J. Psychol., 1955, 68, 409–416.
