Watch an expert, then practice: does it build interpersonal skill?

The study: A randomized experiment with 101 undergraduates interested in helping professions. One group watched model therapist responses to challenging video clips and practiced responding repeatedly; the control group watched videos in the same format with non-therapeutic content.

What they found: After practice, the modeled-practice group scored significantly higher on facilitative interpersonal skills when responding to new simulated clients.

Why it matters for practice: Modeling plus repetition is a core part of deliberate practice. This study supports adding both to training, not just discussion of skills.

Anderson, T., Perlman, M. R., McCarrick, S. M., & McClintock, A. S. (2020). Modeling therapist responses with structured practice enhances facilitative interpersonal skills. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(4), 659–675. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22911