Question

Clinical psychology refers to the application of psychological principles and theories in the assessment and treatment of individuals diagnosed with mental health problems. Social skills training is one of the primary treatment models used for individuals diagnosed with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Part of this treatment methodology focuses on providing individuals with opportunities to experience various social encounters or events through pre-event rehearsals and role-plays conducted by trainers.

Describe the principles or theories in social psychology that are utilized in clinical psychology.

Explain how social skills training be used to treat individuals diagnosed with depression or anxiety?

Explain how social skills training can be used to train individuals having problems related to social anxiety.

Answer 1

There are quite a few theories that interdigitate when it comes to social psychology and clinical psychology, a few such theories are the theory of cognitive dissonance, which finds its place in both the spheres of psychology, cognitive behavioral theory and then there is the theory of schema, which is a collaboration of both as well.

Clinical psychology helps in understanding the client conundrum, which helps it formulate the best method of circumventing the problem of the given client.

Social psychology helps understand the relationship that the environment and the mind share, and the impact of the interdependence on the well being of the individual.

Social skills training is a form of behavioral therapy that helps in the comprehension of ones environment and having responses accordingly for adaptable stability. With respect to depression and/or anxiety social skills training is quite conducive as it helps train an individual with regards to what is healthy and adaptable behavior that can hone their intellectual and emotional capabilities, making the, hence, a more adaptable individual to deal with the stressors of life. This form of therapy is predominantly based on the effective communication facet, verbal as well as nonverbal, as communication is one of the major factors for the dissemination of feelings thoughts and thus behavior.

Social anxiety predominantly exists due to an individual lack of self confidence which usually stem from them not being able to have an effective communication with another individual. Social Sills training is known to function the best with the cases that involve social anxiety as it helps an individual learn the ropes of communications and behavior which instills confidence within an individual and helps them overcome their social anxiety.

SST helps a person get well acquainted with the context of a social environment, which is quite often perceived as threatening environment by people who suffer from social anxiety; this from of therapy helps break the misnomer that surround a social setting and helps the person move ahead past the problem.

Role play activity or what we popularly know as psychodrama is quite helpful in helping a person maneuver through their anxiety.