Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
1977
Thesis Director
William M. Hillner
Abstract
Assertive training is a treatment technique which has been deveveloped for those individuals who are generally unable to stand up for their rights or express their feelings towards others. The truely assertive individual should be equally adept at the expression of positive feelings as negative ones.
In basic assertive training, behavior rehearsal or behavior rehearsal combined with instructions and feedback are frequently used to shape assertive responding. These two treatment components have been widely researched and judged to significantly contribute to the acquisiton of negative assertion. However, there has been little research done with respect to their effect upon positive assertive responding. This study evaluated behavior rehearsal versus behavior rehearsal combined with feedback and instructions with regard to their effect upon verbal and nonverbal components of positive assertive behavior.
The independent variables were behavior rehearsal alone and behavior rehearsal combined with feedback and instructions. The dependent variables were percent of eye contact, duration of reply, self reported SUDS level and overall assertiveness.
A combined single subject design was used with a treatment pattern of A'-B'-BC'-B''-A''-B'''-BC''. Six subjects role played interpersonal situations. The first phase, baseline (A'), subjects role played without any intervention. The second phase, behavior rehearsal (B'), subjects practiced role playing interpersonal scenes. The third phase, behavior rehearsal combined with feedback and instructions (BC'), subjects role played interpersonal scenes and were also given performance feedback and instructions. Subsequent scenes of B'', A'', B''', and BC'' were all employed in the same manner. Subject performance was videotaped throughout these phases and rated according to the dependent variables.
Results indicated an overall increase for three of the four rated behaviors. Specific variables that caused the change was not clear. Implications for future research were discussed.
Recommended Citation
Follick, Timothy Paul, "Effects of Behavior Rehearsal Versus Behavior Rehearsal Combined with Feedback and Instructions on Components of Positive Assertive Behavior" (1977). Masters Theses. 3344.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/3344
