
A Guide to Social Skill Training
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 27. February 2026
Book
Hardback
236 pages
978-1-041-24097-6 (ISBN)
Description
While much has been written about the teaching of social skills to the less able, particularly in the context of mental health, the idea of teaching such skills to students undergoing professional training is comparatively innovatory.
First published in 1981, A Guide to Social Skill Training is both a practical guide for those about to set up SST programmes and a critical review of theory and practice in SST. Social skills training is divided into three categories for the purpose of this study: remedial (as taught to the mentally handicapped and psychiatric patients); developmental (for normal or 'at risk' children in schools); and specialised (for students of the 'interpersonal' professions).
The practical guidance offered to prospective trainees includes advice on skill selection and arrangement and on the three major elements in training, namely, sensitisation, practice, and feedback. The authors draw upon considerable experience of a programme of Simulated Social Skills Training (SSST), explaining its procedure, logistics, and cost-effectiveness.
A major theme throughout the book is the need to integrate social skills training into a total curriculum, and the book therefore will be of direct practical value to clinical and applied psychologists and to teachers in special education, ordinary schools, and tertiary education.
First published in 1981, A Guide to Social Skill Training is both a practical guide for those about to set up SST programmes and a critical review of theory and practice in SST. Social skills training is divided into three categories for the purpose of this study: remedial (as taught to the mentally handicapped and psychiatric patients); developmental (for normal or 'at risk' children in schools); and specialised (for students of the 'interpersonal' professions).
The practical guidance offered to prospective trainees includes advice on skill selection and arrangement and on the three major elements in training, namely, sensitisation, practice, and feedback. The authors draw upon considerable experience of a programme of Simulated Social Skills Training (SSST), explaining its procedure, logistics, and cost-effectiveness.
A major theme throughout the book is the need to integrate social skills training into a total curriculum, and the book therefore will be of direct practical value to clinical and applied psychologists and to teachers in special education, ordinary schools, and tertiary education.
Reviews / Votes
Reviews of the first publication:'...an excellent book which explores in depth theoretical aspects as well as current practice on the one hand, whilst on the other offering a great deal of well thought out advice and guidance...A Guide to Social Skill Training is not just another book on social skills training, but one which throws a completely new light on the subject. It is well worth reading.'
- Behaviour Research and Therapy
'This book is crammed with much valuable material, extremely well written and not overloaded with jargon - a really good read...It is highly recommended for all engaged in training learners in interpersonal skills and all those interested in the development of these skills.'
- Nursing Times
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
441 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-041-24097-6 (9781041240976)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Roger Ellis | Dorothy Whittington
A Guide to Social Skill Training
E-Book
02/2026
Routledge
€73.99
Available for download

Roger Ellis | Dorothy Whittington
A Guide to Social Skill Training
E-Book
02/2026
Routledge
€73.99
Available for download
Persons
Roger Ellis
Dorothy Whittington
Dorothy Whittington
Content
Introduction 1. Approaches and Applications 2. Planning the Programme 3. A Compendium of Skills 4. SST at Ulster Polytechnic 5. Transfer of Training 6. The Curriculum Context 7. Effectiveness and Evidence Conclusion