Year

2021

Season

Summer

Paper Type

Master's Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science in Psychological Science (MSPS)

Department

Psychology

NACO controlled Corporate Body

University of North Florida. Department of Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Angela Mann

Second Advisor

Dr. Paul Argott

Third Advisor

Dr. Catherine Baker

Department Chair

Dr. Lori Lange

College Dean

Dr. George W. Rainbolt

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of Behavioral Skills Training (BST) on the identification of bullying with six participants using a mixed method experimental design. During baseline, participants were given comic strip vignettes depicting examples and non-examples of verbal, relational, and physical bullying. After each vignette was presented, participants were asked “what happened?” If there was no mention of bullying in any form in their response, they were asked a follow-up question of “Was there bullying?” During intervention participants were exposed to a group and video instruction phase explaining the different types of bullying, a group rehearsal and feedback phase during which participants role-played bullying scenarios, and an individual data collection phase where the comic strips presented during baseline were re-presented to each participant individually. In addition, generalization was assessed by asking participants to return at a later date for a party and were exposed to bullying by a confederate participant. Participants were then asked if bullying occurred. Generalization measures showed that all participants correctly identified when bulling occurred, and all but one participant improved in their identification of the three types of bullying between baseline and posttest.

Keywords: autism, bullying, behavioral skills training

Available for download on Wednesday, August 05, 2026

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