Date of Award

12-1984

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Counseling and Personnel

First Advisor

Dr. Robert F. Hopkins

Second Advisor

Dr. Kenneth Bullmer

Third Advisor

Dr. Robert Brashear

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether university students, classified as late adolescents, could enhance their self-concept as measured by the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS) Total Positive Score. Seven hypotheses which stated the null relationship between self-concept enhancement and the treatment modalities of hypnosis and rational-emotive therapy, when compared over an eight week period of time were derived. A review of the literature showed that the belief that low self-concept is etiologic in psychopathology is widespread in the clinical literature.

A sample of university students enrolled in Psychology 100 (N = 54) were pre, post and follow-up tested using the TSCS, specific reference made to the Total Positive Score. The data were analyzed by a parametric statistical technique, the ANCOVA test of significance. Seven null hypotheses were validly analyzed for statistical significance. Each of the seven hypotheses was not rejected: self-concept scores of late adolescent subjects were not significantly enhanced after eight exposures of group psychotherapy with hypnosis or rational-emotive therapy. Reliability coefficients were similar to those found in the TSCS standardization. Also, results were consistent with the clinical literature that self-concept is a relatively stable formation.

Conclusions reached were suggestive of inappropriate subject selection and duration of treatment exposure. Also, issues of experimenter effectiveness were derived. Recommendations for future research were proposed.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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