HETEROSOCIAL COMPETENCY AS A FUNCTION OF THE USE OF QUESTIONS: TWO EXPERIMENTAL MANIPULATIONS (SOCIAL SKILLS, BEHAVIOR COMPONENTS)

SALLY LOU BETH KUHLENSCHMIDT, Purdue University

Abstract

The behavioral approach assumes that judgements of social competency are based on particular observable verbal and nonverbal behavior components. Research examining such components has used primarily correlational methods, limiting causal conclusions. Furthermore, the behaviors examined are often difficult to translate into clinically relevant target behaviors (e.g. talk duration). The purpose of the present study was to (1) evaluate two types of experimental methodologies that permit causal conclusions and (2) examine the effect of a clinically relevant behavior, questioning, on judgements of heterosocial competency. In the laboratory control study audiotaped conversations were presented to female raters. The number of questions asked by a male were varied in each conversation with the female's response, the content, talk time, and opinion and informational statements held constant. In the naturalistic study male subjects engaged in a baseline interaction with a female confederate and were then trained in one of three tasks (ask more questions, fewer questions, or use more minimal encouragers) or were in a waiting group control. They then interacted a second time. Ratings of skill were obtained from the pre and post treatment interactions. The role of questions in skill judgements is examined for each study and the results from both are compared. The naturalistic study results support the importance of questions in social skill. The failure of the laboratory study to corroborate these results may have been due to methodological shortcomings.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Psychotherapy

COinS