Close all Finder windows (or make sure the folder you want to fix is not open). In Terminal, type 'open /path/to/directory'. In my case I typed 'open /Applications'. The Finder will open the folder in the offending view that spring loaded folders uses. Pick your new view (e.g., View -> as Columns). Close the window.
From here on, the Finder should open that folder in the view that you just selected. I imagine that you could also use Go -> Go to Folder... in the Finder, but I did not try that. For me, the CLI is quicker.
[Editor's note: You can also do this by just command-double clicking on the folder to be set. It will open in a new window, and you can then set its view options. In addition to the view type, you can control the size of the window. I have an "Installers" folder that contains alphabetical folders for filing downloaded applications, and it pops open in a window just large enough to view all of the folders, allowing easy drag and drop filing.]

