Behavior Analytic Methods

Abstract

Several social skills training procedures have been derived from behavior analytic principles. Most of these strategies have not been tested individually but rather as part of broader intervention packages. Given that the principles of behavior analysis should apply to most behaviors regardless of their topography, the results of studies using these interventions provide sufficient support to be confident that they can also be effective alone or in combination with other interventions to improve social skills training. Social skills behavioral training generally involves prompts and reinforcement procedures and may also include other behavior analytic strategies. When designing treatments, practitioners should also consider combining multiple procedures within social skills programs as is often done in group training and peer-mediated interventions. Last, generalization should not be expected to occur on its own following training but should rather be actively programmed. Ultimately, researchers and practitioners alike should take advantage of behavior analytic methods and research when implementing social skills assessments and interventions with children. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)