Responds to Miller's article on encouraging gullibility by recommending that a balance between suspicion and gullibility be attained in counseling situations. (Author/ABB)

Responds to Miller's article on encouraging gullibility by making a distinction between gullibility and being accepting of the client's perspective. (Author/ABB)

Examined the effect of counselor attire on the perceptions of 30 students participating in a group counseling session. Results indicated that informal clothing, similar to the students' attire, resulted in increased perceptions of expertness, trustworthiness and helpfulness in a neophyte counselor. (JAC)

Assessed the effect of counselor responsibility for discipline on perceptions of counselor credibility and on influence of the counselor on high school students (N=185). Results indicated that students' perceptions of counselor credibility are not adversely affected by the counselor being assigned responsibility for discipline. (LLL)

Results of this study indicate that college students' perception of the credibility of faculty members was enhanced by the presence of professionally related and aesthetic objects (plaques, books, paintings, etc.) in the faculty members' offices. Communicative implications of the findings are discussed. (PD)

The Civic Journalism section of the Proceedings contains the following 7 papers: "Resurrecting Critical Theory: Public Journalism" (Gregory Selber); "Constructing Meaning: The Role of the Audience in News Writing" (Jack Morris); "Media Coverage of Sports and Politics: An Examination of the Press' Role in Campaigns for…

Explored the assumption that judges have a preference for expert testimony from medically trained witnesses. Psychiatrists received the highest ratings among six professional groups, and medical groups received higher ratings than did nonmedical groups. The importance of the medical/nonmedical distinction was moderated somewhat by other factors.…

All factors influencing trust (cooperative relationships, communication, credibility of the leader) are important to successful growth of participants in outdoor experience and are necessary prerequisites for meaningful learning experiences. Outdoor education programs should strive to create an atmosphere of trust. (ERB)

Issues of reliability and validity in ethnographic design are compared to their counterparts in experimental design. Threats to the credibility of ethnographic research are summarized and categorized. Strategies intended to enhance credibility (study design, data collection, data analysis, and presentation of findings) are incorporated throughout…

Extends sex bias research to personality measures, distinguishes two new types of sex bias, and provides a methodology for testing these biases. Findings suggest the two aspects of trust are sex linked. The hypothesis that more important trusting decisions are made toward men is questioned. (Author/BEF)

Ranking the "top 10 universities" which train recreation professionals does little to enhance the goals and standards of the field of parks and recreation. While evaluation of faculty and educational institutions is considered important, it should be conducted in a manner which tends to be more professional than mere gossip. (JN)

Undergraduates rated the importance of expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness for a friend and a mental health professional from whom they might seek help. Results indicated salient attributes of a professional were perceived expertness and trustworthiness. Salient attributes of a friend were perceived attractiveness and trustworthiness.…

The therapist with similar attitudes was seen as more qualified, higher in interpersonal attraction, and more likeable. Subjects were more willing to recommend or seek therapy from these therapists. Significant interaction indicated that male subjects were more affected by the degree of attitude similarity. (Author)

Explores the dimensionality of the feedback construct, the relationships of feedback to individual performance and satisfaction, and the moderating effects of trust on these associations. Communication of performance appraisal information is found to be a more important correlate of satisfaction and performance for subordinates who express low…

Information about drugs is a basic component of any drug education program. This information must be perceived as credible and trustworthy by the target audience. Results of 16 studies indicate that friends, mass media, and professionals rank highly for most of the population as credible, trusted sources of information. (Author)