Enhancing strength-based therapy by focusing on client’s talents and concepts of learning

Abstract

This research investigated how adults perceived their talents and whether adult clients (n = 132; average age = 35 years) entering therapy had a different perception of their talents than adults not attending therapy (n = 132; average age = 34 years. Establishing whether gender was associated with respondents’ talent ratings was also explored. Talents were measured using a questionnaire based on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory. Respondents were asked to compare each of nine talents with items representing seven concepts of learning thereby linking talent with the methods used to learn and maintain the talent. Results showed nine factors emerged in conjunction with the seven conceptions of learning. Males were higher rating on the talents of Construction and Spatial Design and Mathematical and Logical. The therapeutic group of adults rated talents significantly lower than the nontherapeutic group. The rank of the concepts of learning based on their average contribution to each talent showed that both groups of respondents focused on performance and then natural ability, and least on effort when defining their talents. These findings support the suggestion that the client’s talent is an appropriate subject to incorporate into therapy to maintain and expand their skills and competence.