Graduation Date
Spring 5-9-2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Programs
Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area
First Advisor
Dr. Kevin Luczynski
Abstract
The development of prosocial skills is considered pivotal to childhood development. The friendship unit of the Preschool Life Skills program teaches early prosocial skills likely to facilitate socially desirable behaviors in young children; however, the friendship unit is the most understudied unit and has produced modest, inconsistent outcomes across children. The current study aimed to evaluate procedures necessary to (a) teach friendship skills to four children, with and without developmental disabilities, in an applied context and (b) promote the use of the skills with a same-aged peer. Teaching five friendship skills in a one-on-one approach and adding tangible reinforcement, if necessary, was efficacious at increasing friendship skills with an adult. Additional tactics were necessary to promote prosociality with peers. We discuss refinements to the teaching procedures and additional considerations to improve the social acceptability and durability of prosocial skills.
Recommended Citation
Mckeown, Ciobha A., "Evaluating the Generality and Social Acceptability of Early Friendship Skills" (2020). Theses & Dissertations. 456.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/etd/456