Development and Preliminary Validation of an Instrument To Measure Cognitive Growth

Abstract

This study deals with the design and pilot validation of an instrument to measure cognitive growth during counseling supervision. An instrument was designed to reflect issues and concepts frequently addressed in supervisory sessions. This instrument, called the Counselor Perception Questionnaire (CPQ), is based on responses to videotaped counseling interview material. The CPQ yields two scores, a Differentiation score (D) and an Integration score (I). Scorer reliabilities were computed using independent scorers, and a convergent and a discriminant validity study was done. Administration of the instrument to samples of master's degree students and experienced counseling psychologists with PhD degrees showed that the D score differentiated between the two groups at a statistically significant level. The potential usefulness of this kind of instrument is briefly discussed in terms of developmental approaches to supervision.