2023-02-022023-02-021986-12-29198614955750https://hdl.handle.net/10657/13701Decoding others' behavior is a critical aspect of social adjustment. Gardner (1983) showed that feedback improved decoding of Ekman-Friesen (EF) faces. The present work involved two experiments to: (a) replicate findings with EF stimuli; (b) extend training to another nonverbal stimulus set, the Sarbin-Hardyck Stick Figures (SB) bodily-postural stimuli; and (c) determine if training on one set generalized to the other. In the first experiment (N=177), SB served as a pretest/posttest measure and EF provided the baseline/training material. In the second (N = 174), the stimuli were reversed. Gardner's training effect on EF modal selections was significantly replicated. The effect on SB stimuli approached significance (p<.10) in the expected direction. Training on EF improved SB performance in the expected direction (p<.10); training on SB produced an insignificant improvement on subsequent EF stimuli. Results were discussed in terms of future research and clinical applications. There is an empirical basis for training nonverbal decoding skills in the clinic.application/pdfenThis item is protected by copyright but is made available here under a claim of fair use (17 U.S.C. Section 107) for non-profit research and educational purposes. Users of this work assume the responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing, or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires express permission of the copyright holder.Body languageThesisreformatted digital