Effects of overlearning and incentive on the acquisition and transfer of interpersonal skills with institutionalized...

Structured Learning Therapy, a skill training program consisting of modeling, role playing, social reinforcement, and transfer of training was used to teach 56 elderly inpatients (mean age = 65.74) the interpersonal skill of "Starting a Conversation." The effects of three levels of overlearning and the addition of concrete (monetary) reinforcement on skill acquisition and transfer were also assessed. All patients acquired the target skill, and there was some evidence of transfer of skill training. Individuals not receiving concrete reinforcement during training showed greater skill transfer compared to those individuals receiving additional incentive. A transfer-enhancing effect of overlearning was found on the Structured Post-test, but no effect was obtained for the other post-test transfer measures.