Psychol Bull. 1989 Sep;106(2):184-203. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.2.184.

Patient variable biases in clinical judgment: conceptual overview and methodological considerations.

Psychological bulletin

S R López

PMID: 2678201 DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.106.2.184

Abstract

Specific conceptual factors are presented as having contributed to the negative findings of past psychotherapy bias research. Among these factors are the restrictive nature of both the definition of bias and the model of the biased clinician. A review of published studies of several patient variable biases (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, and age) indicated that bias may best be defined in broader terms and that its occurrence may be more circumscribed than originally conceived. In addition, the lack of a theoretical perspective in this area of research is noted and the applicability of some social cognitive processes is discussed. Methodological factors are also considered, and recommendations for future research are offered.

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MeSH terms

• Gender Identity*
• Humans
• Identification, Psychological*
• Mental Disorders / diagnosis
• Mental Disorders / psychology
• Minority Groups / psychology
• Psychotherapy*
• Referral and Consultation

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
• Review

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