Whitehorn-Betz A-B Scale

Abstract

The Whitehorn-Betz A-B Scale (Betz, 1962) is a specialized 23-item rating scale developed to assess specific therapist personality characteristics hypothesized to influence clinical success, particularly with severely ill psychiatric patients. Its development was informed by items derived from the Strong Vocational Interest Blank (SVIB). The scale was initially designed to predict the effectiveness of psychiatric residents treating hospitalized schizophrenic patients, classifying therapists into two categories: A-type (characterized by high success rates) and B-type (associated with low success rates in this specific population).

However, subsequent research complicated this initial finding. A notable study by McNair, Callahan, and Lorr (1962) demonstrated a significant interaction effect, finding that B-type therapists achieved greater improvement when treating outpatient neurotic patients in a Veterans Administration clinic setting, suggesting that the optimal therapist type is dependent on the patient population and diagnosis. The scale remains a historically significant instrument in the study of therapist effects on therapeutic outcomes.

Keywords

Rating Scales, Test Development, Therapist Characteristics, Whitehorn-Betz A-B Scale, Schizophrenia, Psychotherapy Research, Strong Vocational Interest Blank

Authors

Betz, Barbara J.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Whitehorn-Betz A-B Scale is twofold: first, to provide a structured classification system for therapists based on their predicted or actual success rates when working with various psychiatric patient populations; and second, to assess underlying personality characteristics that may be linked to differential therapeutic effectiveness.

The scale provides a mechanism for investigating the person-by-treatment interaction, allowing researchers to explore how specific therapist styles (A vs. B) interact with specific patient diagnoses (e.g., schizophrenic versus neurotic) to influence clinical outcomes.

Construct

The psychological construct measured by the scale is Therapist Characteristics, specifically focusing on personality dimensions hypothesized to predict therapeutic competence and effectiveness. These characteristics were originally derived empirically from items on the Strong Vocational Interest Blank (SVIB) that differentiated between successful (A-type) and unsuccessful (B-type) psychiatric residents treating schizophrenic patients.

Validity

Specific psychometric data regarding the formal validity of the Whitehorn-Betz A-B Scale is not explicitly indicated in the available source documentation. The scale’s initial validation was primarily predictive, focusing on its ability to differentiate between residents with high and low success rates with schizophrenic patients.

Reliability

No specific reliability estimates (such as internal consistency or test-retest reliability) are indicated in the provided source material for the Whitehorn-Betz A-B Scale.

Factor Analysis

No factor analysis results or structural analyses for the 23-item Whitehorn-Betz A-B Scale are indicated in the available documentation.

Instrument

Test Type: Rating Scale

Format: The original scale consists of 23 items requiring responses related to personal preferences and activities, adapted from the Strong Vocational Interest Blank (SVIB).

Language Available: English (Inferred)

Population Group: Human; Male; Female (Targeting the assessing clinician)

Age Group: Adulthood (18 years & older)

Population Details: The initial standardization sample involved doctors (psychiatric residents) working specifically with schizophrenic patients.

Test Methodology: No specific reliability or validity tests are available in the current documentation. The methodology focused on empirical differentiation of A-type and B-type therapists based on treatment success.

Keywords

Rating Scales, Test Construction, Treatment Outcomes, Therapist-Patient Match, A-B Therapist Types, Therapeutic Outcomes

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: N/A

Affiliation Email addresses: N/A

Correspondence Address: N/A

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Information regarding current permissions and licensing fees must be obtained by contacting the publisher or relevant rights holder. The scale was initially published and referenced in 1962.

Test Year: 1962

Reference’s

• Betz, B. J. (1962). Experiences in research in psychotherapy with schizophrenic patients. In H. H. Strupp & L. Luborsky (Eds.), Research in psychotherapy (pp. 41–60). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10591-003
• McNair, D. M., Callahan, D. M., & Lorr, M. (1962). Therapist type and patient response to psychotherapy. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 26(5), 425–429.

Items of the Whitehorn-Betz A-B Scale

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Test Items Available: No, please contact the publisher for further information. The original scale consists of 23 items derived from the Strong Vocational Interest Blank.