Radical Approaches to Social Skills Training (Psychology Revivals)

This book reexamines social skills training, proposing a new agency-based approach that emphasizes individual experience and goal-directed behavior, as seen in Radical Approaches to Social Skills Training (Psychology Revivals).

Originally published in 1984, Radical Approaches to Social Skills Training (Psychology Revivals) sheds light on the significant social skills deficits observed in psychiatric patients, individuals with mental disabilities, and troubled adolescents. During the 1970s, social skills training emerged as a promising avenue within behavior therapy, rooted in the belief that social skills could be learned and taught. However, many studies evaluating these training programs revealed that the skills acquired often failed to endure over time or transfer to different contexts.

This book presents a comprehensive reassessment of social skills training, delving into the foundational paradigms that have shaped current practices, which are predominantly behaviorist in nature. The author argues that these paradigms limit the objectives and methodologies of existing training programs. In response, Radical Approaches to Social Skills Training (Psychology Revivals) introduces an ‘agency’ approach, framing individuals as social agents who actively shape their experiences and pursue goal-directed behaviors informed by those experiences.

Through both theoretical insights and practical applications, this new model is articulated throughout the book, offering valuable perspectives for practitioners, researchers, and educators involved in social skills training. The insights provided remain relevant today, making this work a significant contribution to the field of psychology and mental health.