EFFECTS OF THERAPIST ATTIRE AND GENDER

The effects of therapist attire and gender on perceptions of simulated therapists were examined. Undergraduate students viewed slides of three female and three male models, identified as therapists wearing informal, casual, or formal clothing. Subjects rated each slide on four skill-centered items and four relationship items. More formal attire was rated as unequivocally associated with the skill-centered items of expertise, knowledge, credibility, and organization and as significantly associated with the relationship items of trustworthiness, sympathy, attractiveness, and friendliness. Gender was significant for three of the eight traits, with female therapists rated higher on expertise, sympathy, and trustworthiness. Subject to the limitations on extrapolation of all simulation studies, these findings suggested that more professional and formal clothing and female gender mobilize positive first impressions about therapists.