Clients' characteristics as mediating variables in perception of counselors' social influence.

48 clients in a rehabilitation center viewed two 12-min, videotapes each, one depicting a counselor high in social influence and the other one of low influence. They then rated the counselors on the Counselor Rating Form and the Empathy subscale of the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory. Black subjects and subjects at lower educational levels rated the counselor of low social influence significantly higher than did whites and better educated subjects on all measures. White subjects and subjects at higher educational levels rated the counselor of high social influence significantly higher on Trustworthiness and Empathy than did blacks and less educated subjects. Results are discussed in light of the research on clients' characteristics as mediating variables in the counseling process and outcome.