Effect of therapist's title on perceived competence

A videotaped segment of a therapist and student/client was shown to groups of male and female undergraduates under four conditions. One group saw the tape with the title "Doctor (the therapist's actual name was used) and Client" superimposed at the bottom. The second group saw the same tape with "Mr. (blank) Client" superimposed, the third group had "Timothy (blank) and Client," while the fourth group had no title at the bottom. The 204 students rated the therapist on 11 variables. Analysis showed no effect for title and no interaction. Men rated the therapist higher on nine of the 11 variables, than did women.