Using Peer-Led Behavioral Skills Training to Teach Trainees Active and Empathic Listening Skills in a Virtual Environment

Abstract

Active and empathic listening skills are considered crucial to the success of behavior analytic practitioners; however, minimal feasible, technological, and generalizable training methods and outcome data are available to guide the development of these skills in trainees. The current study evaluated the effects of a novel, peer-led behavioral skills training on increasing active and empathic listening skills in six behavior analytic trainees split into three dyads. A concurrent multiple baseline across participants design demonstrated the positive and generalized effects of this training across four of the six participants (i.e., two dyads). One additional, expert-led rehearsal and performance feedback session led to the immediate acquisition and generalization of the skills in the final two participants (i.e., one dyad). Results are discussed in terms of trainer feasibility and trainee acceptability, considerations when using peer-led BST, and the importance to the field of explicitly teaching socially valid interpersonal skills in various environments.