Insight and progress in rehabilitation

Abstract

The literature on the effect of insight on rehabilitation success is reviewed. Its role as a possible motivating factor is considered in the context of the development of the concept of motivation. The difficulties of research in this field are discussed. The aim of the present study is stated as an attempt to clarify the effect of insight on rehabilitation success by exploring the relationship between insight and motivation. In this study accuracy of insight was not found to be related to rehabilitation success. Clients who overrated their abilities, i.e., were optimistic, did better than the underconfident or pessimistic clients. Optimistic clients were more highly motivated in that they saw scope for improvements and were sure of achieving these gains without too much effort. Previous studies are reexamined in the light of these findings and possible explanations for the discrepant results are presented.