Bibliographies of Camp-related Research

Interrelationships Among Decentering and Behavioral Ratings in a Therapeutic Camp Setting
Keller, H. R., et-al
Journal of Genetic Psychology, 129.1 ()113-120

Purpose:
Examine how role taking skills and interpersonal skills are related. Assess the impact, of a therapeutic program designed to modify problem behaviors on decentering.

Sample:
23 children, ages 10-13, labeled as emotionally disturbed, attending a 7-week residential camp program designed to modify behavior problems. 14 children involved in a summer remedial education program served as a control group.

Methods/Instruments:
Pre-, post- test, Feffer's Role Taking Task (RTT) using 4 cards from Children's Apperception Test (CAT-Human Figures), 33-item behavior checklist, sociometric ratings by counselors and peers, final evaluations (18-item list).

Results:

No significant differences between experimental and control group pre-tests.
No significant change in decentering for either experimental or control group in post-tests.
Significant correlation between behavior checklist, Role Taking Task and social effectiveness.
No other significant correlations found.
"...failed to demonstrate that decentering could be altered as a result of an intense socialization experience."