Ratings of counselor expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness as a function of counselor sex role and subject feminist orientation

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of sex role-incongruent behavior upon evaluations of counselor expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness, the extent to which these three dimensions are differentially perceived in “masculine” and “feminine” counselor roles, and the possible moderator effects of subject feminist orientation. Eighty male and eighty-six female undergraduates heard one of four audiotapes of a counseling interaction in which the male or female counselor behaved in a stereotypic masculine or feminine manner. Subjects rated the counselor's expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness on the Counselor Rating Form and filled out a measure of feminist orientation. Results indicated no differences in ratings of counselors as a function of their role-congruent or -incongruent behavior but did show the feminine counselor role to be perceived as more attractive and trustworthy than the masculine role. Ratings of counselor expertness were unaffected by counselor role. Additionally, feminists were found to evaluate masculine counselor behavior more positively than nonfeminists. Identification of professional versus sex-role expectations of clients for counselors and their implications for counseling practice are discussed.