Dodo bird verdict, a term coined by Saul Rosenzweig in 1936, states that all forms of therapy are equally effective. However, it was Fritz Strack who popularized the term “dodo bird effect” in 1979. He refers to the finding in psychology that all treatments are equally effective. This claim was supported by dodo graph from meta-analysis studies of the psychological literature. In this post, we will discuss about dodo bird effect, understand dodo graph (도도그래프), and its importance in psychology.

Dodo graph is a statistical representation or visualization of the dodo bird effect in meta-analysis studies. Meta-analysis studies involve combining statistical results from multiple scientific studies that measure the effectiveness of psychological interventions. The dodo graph shows that the impact of different treatments is similar. Not only that, but the differences between different interventions are, in general, meaningless. Dodo graph is not unique to psychology and is applied in various fields, such as medicine, education, and sociology.

What does this mean in the field of psychology? It means that all forms of therapy or psychological interventions are equally effective. The effectiveness of therapy is not only influenced by the type of treatment offered but also other factors such as the relationship between the therapist and client, the client’s motivation and expectations, and the severity of the problem. This evidence suggests that the skills and knowledge of a therapist matters for positive outcomes. Hence, the dodo bird effect cannot be taken as a blanket statement in psychology.

Despite its shortcomings, the dodo bird effect and dodo graph have several important implications in psychology. The effect provides evidence for the importance of the common factors in psychological interventions. It emphasizes the significance of support, hope, and empathetic listening provided by the therapist. The effect encourages therapists to focus on the person-centered approach rather than a specific therapeutic technique.

Furthermore, the dodo bird effect has important implications for the practice of psychological interventions. If all treatments are equally effective, then therapists have the freedom to choose an intervention that fits the client’s preference, budget, or availability. For example, people who prefer self-help interventions can try online programs or books, whereas those who prefer interpersonal interactions, can seek face-to-face therapy.

The dodo bird effect has led to the development of psychotherapy integration. Psychotherapy integration is an approach that combines different psychotherapies to improve psychological interventions. The objective of psychotherapy integration is to combine the best of different therapeutic approaches to benefit the clients. The integration of psychotherapies is consistent with the dodo bird effect, as it suggests that multiple treatments are helpful in solving psychological issues.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the dodo bird effect and dodo graph represent a significant contribution to the field of psychology. The effect provides evidence for the importance of common factors in psychological interventions while emphasizing the significance of person-centered approach and support provided by a therapist. While all treatments are equally effective in general, the skill, knowledge, and expertise of the therapist could still greatly impact the outcomes of therapy. As such, therapists should focus on building relationships with their clients, understanding their needs, and providing support. The dodo bird effect also encourages therapists to offer psychological interventions that are suitable for their clients’ preferences, budget, or availability. The development of psychotherapy integration is a reflection of this approach. Dodo graph and dodo bird effects have led to important changes in how psychological interventions are perceived, designed, and offered.