Talking to a computer about emotional problems: a comparative study.

TitleTalking to a computer about emotional problems: a comparative study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1977
AuthorsSlack WV, Slack CW
JournalPsychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice
Volume14
Start Page156
Issue2
Date Published1977
Abstract

Compared the performances of 32 Ss who participated in structured interviews, one conducted by a computer and one by a doctor. With the computer, Ss read questions on a cathode-ray screen and responded on a keyboard. Once informed about matters known to be important, the computer requested Ss to talk into a microphone about these matters—not understanding what was being said, but using the presence of sound at the microphone to choose appropriate words of encouragement. Results show that Ss talked with ease and personal relevance (Experiencing Scale) in dialogue with the computer. Though more words were spoken with some higher content ratings in the interviews with the doctors, content rating of dialogue with the computer demonstrates the program's potential as a standardized, experimental instrument for use in the study of alternative methods of clinical interviewing. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

DOI10.1037/h0086523