Relationship between scores on the Omnibus Personality Inventory and counselor trainee effectiveness.

Abstract

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale This study compared the scores obtained on the Omnibus Personality Inventory by groups of relatively effective and relatively ineffective counselor trainees. The trainees completed the tests prior to their first practicum experience and were evaluated by their practicum supervisors at the end of each of their practica. The subjects were classified as relatively effective (n = 32), relatively ineffective (n = 30), or indeterminant (n = 12) on the basis of their practicum supervisor's evaluations. The scores of the relatively effective and relatively ineffective trainees were compared using one-way analyses of variance. The data revealed significant differences in the personality characteristics of the groups. The relevance of these findings for the selection of counselor trainees is discussed. Nonintellective qualities are widely believed to be basic to effective functioning in counseling (Rogers, 1962; Truax & Carkhuff, 1967; Williamson, 1965). Accordingly, counselor educators have advocated the use of scores on personality and interest tests in lieu of or in addition to Graduate Record Examination scores in predicting success in counselor training. In one of the few investigations in which interest tests have been used, Tinsley and Tinsley (1977) compared relatively effective and relatively ineffective counselor trainees on the General Aptitude Test Battery, the Strong Vocational Interest Blank, and the Minnesota Importance Questionnaire. The authors concluded that the use of the General Aptitude Test Battery Verbal Aptitude scale, the Minnesota Importance Questionnaire, and the Strong Vocational Interest Blank for Women in the selection of counselor trainees merits further research. Whitely (1969) and Rowe, Murphy, and DeCsipkes (1975) have characterized the research on the relationship between personality test scores and performance as a counselor as generally contradictory and unproductive. Several problems are apparent with this research. First, few investigators have stated exact hypotheses re