Conversational Skills Training Delivered via Manuals versus Computers
Abstract
Several epidemiological studies have found that social isolation is predictive of subsequent physical and mental health problems. Many persons have difficulty initiating interactions with other people. The purpose of this study was to develop a program to teach conversational skills useful for initiating relationships, such as how to start a conversation, ask appropriate questions about the other person, and use appropriate nonverbal behaviors (e.g., smiling and eye contact). This study assessed two techniques for presenting such a program to large numbers of people economically: a manual and a program for microcomputers.
Approximately 700 female introductory psychology students completed a scale measuring their ability to interact with men in social situations. Women in the lower 17% of the distribution were asked to participate in a program to help them talk with men more comfortably. The 45 women who agreed to participate were randomly divided into three groups: a group receiving the training via a manual, a group viewing a computerized program, and a no-treatment control group. In addition, a fourth group of 15 women scoring at the median of the distribution was included for comparison purposes. The program consisted of descriptions of conversational skills, modeling illustrating correct use of these skills, scenarios in which the subject was asked how she would respond, and response-contingent feedback.
Results from analysis of SHI-F scores from pre- to post-treatment assessment showed that the two treatment groups improved significantly more than the no-treatment control group, but not to the level of the median group. A follow-up questionnaire completed four months after treatment revealed that in comparison with the no-treatment control group, the two treatment groups still had significantly higher SHI-F scores. In addition, the treatment group scores had improved up to the level of the median group.
Description
Program year: 1985-1986Digitized from print original stored in HDR
Subject
social isolationinitiating interactions
nonverbal behavior
conversational skills
training manual
computerized training program
heterosexual Interactions
dating behavior
Citation
Baldwin, Laurie (1986). Conversational Skills Training Delivered via Manuals versus Computers. University Undergraduate Fellows. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /CAPSTONE -BaldwinL _1986.