On the Dynamics of the Helping Relationship

Abstract

With the desire of improving the effectiveness of helping relationships, which are so much a part of everyday life, this study is an attempt to increase the knowledge concerning the interaction of various elements in such relationships. A conceptual framework of helping relationships is presented which includes the nature of the task, the helper, the receiver of help, the environment and psychological climate of the relationship, and the information feedback which occurs during the relationship. The study focuses on the helper, his motivation, self-image, and style of communicating with the receiver of help. Effective helpers are found to have moderate levels of achievement, power, and affiliation motivation in contrast to ineffective helpers (those individuals who unsuccessfully try to help) and nonhelpers (those individuals who do not try to help). Effective helpers are found to have self-images which are somewhere between the self-images of ineffective helpers and nonhelpers on such dimensions as aggressive-timid, talkative-quiet, self-conscious-not self-conscious, and patient-impatient. They also give more positive feedback and less feedback related to control issues than do ineffective helpers or non-helpers.