Criteria for counselor selection among black male college students: An opinion survey

This study examined race, sex, and similar social class background as significant criteria for counselor selection by black male college students. It also sought to determine if the levels of identity development of these black male college students had any significance on their preference for a counselor\u27s race. One hundred and ninety-four undergraduate black male college students between the ages of 18 and 24 participated in the study. The subjects resided on the main campus of Tennessee State University. They were given a three sectional questionnaire. The first section asked for demographic data, the second section was the Counselor Preference Scale, and the third section was the Identity Development Scale. The chi-square test was used to analyze the data. The results showed that 68% of the subjects had a preference for a counselor of the same race, 12% of the subjects were uncertain or had no preference for a counselor of the same race, and 19% of the subjects did not have a preference for a counselor\u27s race. Forty-eight percent of the subjects had a preference for a counselor of the same sex, 19% of the subjects were uncertain or had no preference for a counselor\u27s sex and 31% of the subjects had a preference for a counselor of different sex. Fifty percent of the subjects had a preference for a counselor of similar social class background, 24% of the subjects were uncertain or had no preference for a counselor of similar social class background, and 25% of the subjects had a preference for a counselor from a different social class background. The chi-square statistic showed this as being significant. A preference for a counselor of the same race was apparent at all levels of identity development. The findings suggest an increased need for black counselors where black students matriculate in significant numbers