Generalization of social skills through self-monitoring by adults with mild mental retardation.

The effects of self-monitoring on generalization and maintenance of social skills were investigated. Participants were one female and two male adults with mild mental retardation. A multiple-baseline-across-subjects design with five phases was employed. After an initial baseline condition, the subjects were trained in individualized social skills. Following return to baseline, subjects were taught to self-monitor their behavior, in both training and natural settings. Finally, the use of the self-monitoring device was faded, and all intervention contingencies were withdrawn for the maintenance phase. Data were collected in the analogue and generalization settings throughout all phases of the study. Self-monitoring assisted in generalization of trained social skills across settings and people; however, maintenance results were variable.