THE EFFECT OF MULTIMODAL DECENTRATION TRAINING ON EGOCENTRISM AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR

This study evaluated the effect of decentration training on egocentrism and observable antisocial behavior in a group of severely emotionally traumatized adolescent females. Twenty three subjects were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group participated in a six week multimodal training program which included one week each of perceptual, cognitive, and affective decentration training followed by three weeks of video dramatic decentration training. The second group participated in three weeks of placebo treatment followed by three weeks of video dramatic decentration training. Pre - post intervention, and follow up measures of self reported egocentrism and antisocial behavior for each treatment group were compared through a 2 x 4 (treatment group x time of measurement) analysis of variance with repeated measures, yielding significant main treatment effects over time, significant differences between groups, and a significant interaction between treatments. Each of these analyses were presented and discussed separately, along with follow up analyses of mean differences between treatments as needed. The outcome of the data analyses demonstrated a significant reduction of antisocial behavior and egocentric thought in both groups, and significant between group differences on the variables of antisocial behavior and egocentrism, all of which supported a stronger treatment outcome for the multimodal decentration training program. Subsequent to these findings the data for both treatment groups was combined in order to explore the nature of the relationship between egocentrism and antisocial behavior. A series of Pearson R correlational coefficients were computed between the two variables across the four repeated measures. A positive increase in the degree of correlation between the two variables was observed during the concurrent decline in egocentrism and antisocial behavior. Alternative explanations for the increase in the positive degree of correlation were discussed. Finally, some findings not accessible through the methods of quantitative data analysis were explored. Given the efficacy of the multimodal treatment program in reducing egocentrism some examination of the qualitative aspects of the subjects\u27 idiographic material was considered to be appropriate. Based upon a discussion of the study\u27s outcome implications for treatment and directions for future research were suggested