A cognitive-behavioral approach to social skills training with shy persons

Date

1979-08

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a social skills training program for shy persons. Subjects were recruited through newspaper articles and announcements describing the program. Twelve subjects (six males and six females) were given nine hours of social skills training while twelve other subjects (six males and six females) served as a wait list control group. Prior to and immediately following training, subjects completed self-report measures to assess social anxiety, cognitive self-statements, and perceived ability to actively participate in social situations. Results indicated that subjects in the experimental group, relative to the control group subjects, significantly (a) decreased their perception of themselves as avoiding social situations, (b)decreased their fear of negative evaluation, (c) decreased their negative self-statements, and (d) increased their perceived ability to actively participate in social situations. Discussion focused on the direction of future research in the area of shyness.

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Keywords

Bashfulness, Behavior therapy, Interpersonal relations, Behavior modification

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