Lay Theories of Psychotherapy II: The Efficacy of Different Therapies and Prognosis for Different Problems

Abstract

This study concerns the structure and correlates of lay people's perceptions of the efficacy of different types of “psychological” therapies and-the prognosis of various psychological problems. Two hundred lay people completed two questionnaires, the first examining their perceptions of the efficacy of 22 different types of psychological treatment. The second questionnaire required them to rate the perceived prognosis for 36 different and relative common psychological problems derived from (with definition) the DSM III. Both questionnaires had a relative simple and interpretable factor structure not dissimilar to that emerging from related studies. Although sex, age, and education of the subjects was related to their beliefs about both efficacy and prognosis, the best predictor was their experience of, and knowledge about psychology. These results are discussed in terms of the literature on lay theories of psychotherapy and treatment. Limitations of the study are also discussed.

Keywords

lay theories psychotherapy health

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