Ratings of client attractiveness in an outpatient clinic: Preliminary findings

The nature of implicit judgements clinicians form of their patients was investigated in relation to patient characteristics and length of clinical experience in an outpatient mental health facility. Professional and trainee staff rated patients on measures of interpersonal attractiveness following a screening interview. These ratings were compared with patient demographic data, length of clinical experience of the rater, and treatment placement decisions. Interviewers rated non-married, unemployed patients highest on desirability for 'Working Together in a Group.' More experienced staff tended to rate patients higher on 'interpersonal attractiveness' than did trainees. Findings are discussed in relation to previous research and the impact of the staff's implicit evaluative criteria upon provision of treatment is considered.