Research into and analysis of social skill training had become a subject of major interest by the early 1980s. On one hand, academic psychologists were increasingly focused on understanding social interaction, while on the other, there was growing demand for the practical application of social skill training across various contexts. First published in 1983, New Directions in Social Skill Training reflects the advancements and concerns of the time, addressing a wide range of needs—from students undergoing professional training who require specialised skills, to psychiatric patients and individuals with mental handicaps who face deficiencies in social skills.

The book presents a number of significant advances in the field, covering key issues such as cognition and social skills, situational factors influencing social skills, linguistic analysis of skills, articulation and organisation of skills, and the development of social skills. New Directions in Social Skill Training, therefore, should be of great interest to social, clinical and applied psychologists, nurses, social workers, and counsellors.