The effect of two group counseling methods on perceptual congruence in married pairs

Abstract

Two group counseling methods were developed with the purpose of improving interpersonal perception in married pairs. perceptual congruence was defined as accuracy in perceiving another person as that person perceives himself. A number of studies have positively related perceptual congruence in spouses to marital success and satisfaction. Recent cultural upheavals have tended to produce interpersonal "gaps" and to engender a subjective mood, thus negatively affecting perception of others. The marital relationship particularly has suffered as a result of cultural change. A group approach to marriage counseling was seen as an efficient and economical method of dealing with marital problems. Two basic counseling models were developed. The behavioral model was based on learning theory and utilized the operant conditioning techniques of Skinner. The facilitative model combined various aspects of the group-centered, Adlerianl and functional group methods. A review of the literature related perceptual congruence to the amount of knowledge possessed in the areas of interpersonal concern. The objective of the group treatment was to increase knowledge concerning the spouse, particularly with regard to attitudes and preferences. It was hypothesized that the behavioral group would be significantly more accurate than any other groups in the prediction of spouses' attitudes and preferences, would rate spouse's empathic behavior significantly higher, and would report a significantly higher degree of benefit from the treatment. It was also hypothesized that the facilitative group would surpass the control group in these areas. A total of 41 couples volunteered to participate in the study. They were randomly assigned by couples to three groups: a behavioral treatment group, a facilitative treatment group, and a control group. The behavioral and facilitative groups met for six sessions, which included an orientation session, four treatment sessions, and an evaluative session. The control group met only for an evaluative session. The behavioral group was programmed through a treatment procedure consisting of four parts: didactic presentation, attitudinal training, operant interpersonal technique, and group learning. The facilitative group followed a less structured format. Emphasis was placed upon the gaining of insight through group interaction. The group guidelines included openness, confrontation, support and focus. At the evaluative sessions all subjects completed the Interpersonal Behavior Inventory, the Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis, and the Self-Report Questionnaire. Data taken from the evaluative instruments were statistically analyzed by means of a one tailed t test. Results of the analysis confirmed the hypotheses concerning the behavioral group, but did not support the hypotheses pertaining to the facilitative group. None of the groups demonstrated any significant difference with regard to empathic behavior.