Similarity and Difference in Multicultural Counseling:

Abstract

Similarity and difference have been explored within the counseling psychology and the social psychology literature. The counseling psychology literature has studied the influence of similarity and difference on clients' preferences for counselors. The theory driven social psychology literature has investigated the influence of similarity and difference on subsequent relationship development. Whereas the counseling research has examined similarity and difference within the context of counseling, social psychology research has examined similarity and difference within the context of co-workers, roommates, and acquaintances. Unfortunately, there has been little dialogue between these 2 parallel areas of investigation. This manuscript is an attempt then to provide a bridge between the counseling and social psychological literature. It is hoped that this selected review will provide an integrated approach from which to examine future research questions related to the impact of similarity and difference on the counseling process.