WHITHER THE BIAS: THE FEMALE CLIENT'S "EDGE" IN PSYCHOTHERAPY?

The literature on gender bias in psychotherapy has been primarily concerned with gender bias against women. Both direct and indirect evidence is reviewed which suggests that along several dimensions women may in fact be favored as clients. This hypothesis was tested by examining ratings of the process-relevant interpersonal characteristics and gross outcome expectancies for 164 new male and female clients. Male clients were ascribed more negative interpersonal characteristics and poorer social skills. They were also rated higher on a composite "controllingness" variable. There was a significant client sex difference in expected duration of treatment, but no differences were found in expectancies regarding premature termination or treatment success.