Influence Strategies in the Supervisory Dyad: An Investigation Into the Effects of Gender and Age

A content analysis of audiotapes from 42 counseling supervisory dyads examined the effects of supervisor and supervisee gender on the influence strategies used in the session. Gender of the supervisor was not related to influence strategy. Supervisors of both genders were significantly more likely to accept or build upon the ideas generated by female supervisees and asked for more opinions from male supervisees. Male supervisees gave significantly more suggestions than did female supervisees, and female supervisees praised their supervisors more often than did male supervisees. Also, age differences between supervisor and supervisee interacted with gender to affect influence strategies used in the supervisory dyad.     

Trait Emotional Intelligence and Perceived Supervisory Working Alliance of Counseling Trainees and Their Supervisors in Agency Settings

The present study investigated the relationships between supervisee and supervisor trait emotional intelligence (EI) levels and their perception of the supervisory working alliance. Data were collected from 64 supervisor-supervisee dyads among masters-level community counseling internship students and their site supervisors. Findings indicated that supervisees and supervisors with higher levels of trait EI tended to perceive the supervisory working alliance more positively. However, findings did not support the presence of an interaction effect between supervisee and supervisor trait EI on either supervisees’ or supervisors’ perceptions of the working alliance. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.     

Mainly Openness: The relationship between the Big Five personality traits and learning approaches

In order to examine the relationship between broad personality traits and learning approaches, 852 university students completed the NEO-FFI [Costa, P. T., Jr., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI): Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources] and SPQ [Biggs, J. B. (1987). The Study Process Questionnaire manual. Victoria: Australian Council for Educational Research], which assess personality and learning approaches, respectively. Seven previous studies were used to generate hypotheses on the relationship between these two measures, but only the positive link between Openness to Experience and Deep learning was supported by both correlational and structural equation modelling tests. Openness was also found to be negatively linked to Surface learning, but other Big Five traits were not saliently associated with learning approaches. Results indicate that the overlap between learning approaches and personality traits is lower than previously suggested. Implications are discussed.     

Supervisor Malpractice: Liability to the Supervisee in Clinical Supervision

Legal liability of supervisors to supervisees beyond the principles of respondeat superior or vicarious liability was explored. After defining 4 widely accepted elements of malpractice, it was determined that each of the 4 elements could be applied in the supervisory relationship.     

A Comparison of Beginning and Expert Supervisors’ Supervision Cognitions

Beginning and expert supervisors’ cognitions and cognitive structures were compared via concept mapping, a mixed methods design. Both beginning and expert supervisors reported a variety of cognitions representing developmental characteristics in 3 areas: assessment of supervisees, conceptualization and management of supervision, and supervisory relationship.     

Value System Similarity and the Supervisory Relationship

This study assesses the value systems held by supervisors and supervisees in the counseling practice. The relation between value system similarity and two dependent measures was examined; the level of communication within and the overall satisfaction with the relationship. Participants included 37 student supervisees and seven supervisors in a master's program. Correlation coefficients were computed to establish the relationships between the dependent measures and between value similarity measures and the dependent variables. The results did not indicate a meaningful relation between the similarity of value systems for supervisee and supervisor and either dependent measure. The results, however, did indicate a strong relationship between the supervisee's satisfaction with the supervisory relationship and the level of communication that was developed in supervision.     

Personality and approaches to learning predict preference for different teaching methods

A total of 221 (111 female and 110 male) British Medical students completed the NEO-FFI personality inventory [Costa, P. T., Jr., and McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.], an abbreviated version of Biggs' [Biggs, J. B (1987). Study process questionnaire manual. Hawthorn, Vic: Australian Council for Educational Research.] approaches to learning scale, and a purpose-designed questionnaire to assess their preference for different teaching methods (e.g., lab classes, standard lectures, and discussion groups). Correlations between several personality traits and approaches to learning factors suggested that personality and learning approaches are distinct, but related, constructs. The deep approach to learning was associated with Emotional Stability, Openness, and Agreeableness. These personality traits were also negatively related to the surface approach to learning, whilst Conscientiousness was associated with deep and achieving learning approaches. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that preference for interactive teaching was associated with a combination of Emotional Stability, Agreeableness, and deep learning approach. Implications are discussed with regard to individual differences in educational contexts.     

Approaches to learning in professional supervision: supervisee perceptions of processes and outcome

This study investigated supervisees’ perceptions of the learning processes and outcomes of professional supervision. Two hundred and sixty-four psychology graduates involved in the process of professional supervision for registration responded to a mail survey regarding their supervisor's approach to supervision, their own approach to supervision and their perceptions of the overall effectiveness of the process. Findings suggest that professional supervision can be readily conceptualised as a learning relationship. Supervisees’ approaches to supervision comprised the three dimensions of surface-disorganised, evaluation anxiety, and endorsement of supervisor capability. Supervisors’ approaches to supervision were understood by supervisees in terms of facilitative and didactic approaches to learning. A facilitative approach to supervision was associated with enhanced evaluations of supervisor capability and a reduction in supervisee confusion and anxiety. A facilitative, but not a didactic, supervisory approach positively influenced supervisees’ perceptions of the effectiveness of supervision.     

Styles of Counselor Supervision as Perceived by Supervisors and Supervisees

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the preferences of supervisors and supervisees for 4 styles of counselor supervision and the perceived frequency of use of the 4 styles during a 10‐week supervision experience. The styles are labeled directive teacher, supportive teacher, counselor, and consultant. Data collected using 90 doctoral student supervisors and 168 master's‐degree student supervisees showed significant correlations among the styles. Implications for the process of counselor supervision are offered.     

What facets of openness and conscientiousness predict fluid intelligence score?

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of fluid intelligence (gf) with trait Openness and Conscientiousness. A total of 2658 participants completed the NEO PI-R [Costa Jr., P. T. & MCrae, R. (1985). Revised NEO Personality Inventory and Five-Factor Inventory Professional Manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources] and the GMA: Abstract test of cognitive ability [Blinkhorn, S. F. (1985). Graduate and Managerial Assessment Manual and User Guide. Dorchester: Dorset Press]. Correlational analysis showed that only the Ideas and Actions sub-facets of Openness were positively correlated with gf. Order, Self-Discipline and Deliberation sub-facets of Conscientiousness were negatively correlated with gf. Regressions showed that the sub-factors of each of the traits accounted for 5% of the total variance in gf. These findings are discussed in an attempt to explain how the relationship between Openness, Conscientiousness and gf may have developed.     

An exploratory study of subordinates' perceptions of supervisory politics

This study was designed to explore the relationships between subordinates' perceptions of their supervisors' involvement in organizational politics and subordinates' perceptions of supervisory work facilitation, satisfaction with supervision, and openness in superior‐subordinate communication. Results suggest that subordinates who perceive their supervisors as highly involved in politics are less open in communication and less satisfied with their supervisors than subordinates who perceive their supervisors as moderately or minimally involved in politics.     

Personality traits of expert teachers of students with EBD: clarifying a teacher's X-factor

Teaching students with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) is a challenge for many teachers in inclusive education. Much research has been done to find out what differentiates expert teachers from their less skilled colleagues. Recent evidence points to personality as an underlying core factor influencing teacher performance. In this study, the predictive value of teacher personality for teacher quality in teaching students with EBD was examined among a sample of Dutch primary school teachers. Personality was measured using a self-report questionnaire based on the personality dimensions of the Five Factor Model of personality: Extraversion; Agreeableness; Conscientiousness; Neuroticism; and Openness to Experience. Different dimensions of teacher quality in teaching students with EBD were measured using an observation instrument, a self-efficacy questionnaire, and a nomination procedure. The dimensions of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience were found to predict teacher quality in teaching students with EBD measured by the self-efficacy questionnaire. Altogether, personality explained 35% of the variance in teacher quality in teaching students with EBD measured by the self-efficacy questionnaire. The results relate to issues about teacher education and employment. Directions for future research are discussed.     

Suicidal Clients and Supervisees: A Model for Considering Supervisor Roles

It is likely that counselor trainees will be exposed to suicidal clients and subsequently face personal dilemmas, stress, and feelings of incompetence. Ethical guidelines mandate that supervisors have procedures to assist supervisees in such times. Currently, the literature does not provide a framework for providing such supervision. This article presents a theory‐grounded model to assist the supervision of supervisees working with suicidal clients.     

A Synergistic Model to Enhance Multicultural Competence in Supervision

The Synergistic Model of Multicultural Supervision is an integration of 3 existing models to provide concrete and practical guidance for supervisors wishing to enhance supervisee multicultural competence in personally meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways. The model attends to both content and process within the supervisory session and promotes multicultural counselor competence through increasing cognitive complexity, self‐reflection, and structured interventions.     

Encouraging the Cognitive Development of Supervisees: Using Bloom's Taxonomy in Supervision

The article applies Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives (B. S. Bloom, M. D. Engelhart, F. J. Furst, W. H. Hill, & D. R. Krathwohl, 1956) to the process of counseling supervision. The taxonomy is provided as a mechanism to help supervisors encourage the growth of cognitive complexity in supervisees. Examples of supervision questions for each level of the taxonomy are provided.     

An investigation of factors involved when educational psychologists supervise other professionals

Inter-professional supervision combines the social processes of supervision and multi-agency working: both complex and often poorly understood processes. This paper discusses the first author’s research of inter-professional supervision, involving an educational psychologist (EP) supervising another professional and complements the recently published guidelines on professional supervision produced by the Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP). The research involved 10 semi-structured interviews with six EPs (supervisors) and four other professionals (supervisees) recruited through purposive sampling. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and coded using thematic analysis. Research findings suggested that inter-professional supervision was viewed positively. However, participants had a patchy experience of the contracting aspects of supervision and some talked of conflicting conceptualisations of supervision placing a strain on the supervisory relationship. Conclusions reflect the need to view supervision as a process enacted within multiple contexts which impact upon supervision in important ways.     

Triadic Supervision and its Impact on the Role of the Supervisor: A Qualitative Examination of Supervisors' Perspectives

Although triadic supervision has been the subject of little empirical research, perspectives of supervisors in this form of supervision have received even less attention. This qualitative study examined 6 doctoral student supervisors' experiences of triadic supervision and the demands it placed on them in their role as supervisors. Data collection involved use of in‐depth, open‐ended interviews, and a whole‐text analysis resulted in 2 major categories. These categories address various ways in which triadic supervision increases or decreases the demands placed on the supervisor. Implications of the findings for supervisory practices and future research are also addressed.     

Tales of the Unexpected: supervisors’ and students’ perspectives on short‐term projects and dissertations

This study of the expectations of 22 supervisors of undergraduate and postgraduate projects and dissertations and their students revealed the supervisors’ more elaborated views. Responses were categorised into Educational Support & Guidance and Personal Support, with well over two‐thirds of both supervisors and students highlighting Educational Guidance and less than a quarter Personal Support. Students and staff mentioned an enabling approach which allowed student ownership of their projects. Staff and students also agreed on their expectations of the students’ role, with two‐thirds of the responses of both groups emphasising personal and organisational qualities. The apparent agreement of supervisors and students was questioned by means of two problematic cases. These raised questions of supervisory style, contrasting perceptions of process and the need to take continuous account of student needs as well as the academic aims of staff.     

The Character and Quality of Supervisory Discourse: linking the beliefs and actions of supervisors

In a previous study, an outline for a model of supervision in action was presented. This model of action presented four fields of knowledge of which a supervisor must have a conception: theory of teaching, content knowledge of teaching, development of student teachers’ personality and interaction. This model is one of the starting points of the empirical inquiry this paper is dealing with. The supervisors’ model of action is based on the idea that the underlying assumptions modify the action of the supervisor in the supervisory situation. There is a knowledge base and a belief system about the fields of knowledge that operationalize in the supervisory action. The knowledge base and the belief system are connected to the personal theory of education which is dynamic in nature. The purpose of this study is to explain and understand the form and substance of the discourse during the supervisory post‐observation conferences in an elementary student teaching program at the University of Helsinki. Another purpose is to understand what kind of belief systems and thought processes it reflects upon.     

Supervisory Style: Its Relation to the Supervisory Working Alliance and Supervisor Self‐Disclosure

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between supervisor perceptions of their supervisory style and elements of the supervision process, including the supervisory working alliance and supervisor self‐disclosure. Data from 137 counselor supervisors demonstrated a significant positive relationship between attractive, interpersonally sensitive, and task‐oriented supervisory styles and the (a) goals, tasks, and bond components of the supervisory working alliance and (b) frequency of supervisor self‐disclosure. Limitations and implications for counselor supervision theory, research, and practice are addressed.