Our behavior is often determined or significantly influenced by the way in which we perceive situations. Classical research in perceptual and cognitive psychology is supportive of this contention. The nature of the institution's student life policy underwent significant revision, the rules of student conduct were changed, and our administrative and programmatic structures dramatically altered. Students as Clients Seeing students as clients is basic to many of our current activities and programs in student personnel work. In many of our departments we actually refer to students as clients.
Doctors treat clients in health-promoting ways.
Psychologists treat clients to assist in self-improvement. Lawyers bring benefits to clients by helping in legal matters. But we should be wary of some of the associated tendencies that accompany this viewpoint. When students are viewed as clients, it is easy to see them as ill or deficient in some way. Our services and programs become more passive when we view students as clients.