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The Thespian Client: The Benefits of Role-playing Teaching Techniques in Psychology

Received: 26 September 2019    Accepted: 12 October 2019    Published: 23 October 2019
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Abstract

Role-playing teaching techniques in psychology allows students the opportunity to practice the skills of a psychologist and examine mental health disorders in person. This technique simulates scenarios that students may face in their careers by creating fictional clients and role-playing situations solidifying professional therapeutic skills. Multiple studies have established the benefits of using student actors to play the role of “client” while allowing psychology students to play the role of “psychologist”. The purpose of this study is to examine the process of developing and implementing a role-playing learning project. A literature review was conducted examining the benefits and barriers of role-playing teaching techniques. The article describes how role-playing teaching techniques reinforce theories and skills taught to psychology students and increases their knowledge base through this simulated experience. Recommendations for creating a successful role-playing project are explored and a program curriculum template based on the study’s findings is provided. Future research implications of advance quantitative experimental studies are suggested to explore the overall effectiveness of the training project.

Published in American Journal of Applied Psychology (Volume 8, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajap.20190805.12
Page(s) 98-104
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Role-Playing, Teaching Techniques, Psychology and Theater Arts Students

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Sean Issac Gibbs. (2019). The Thespian Client: The Benefits of Role-playing Teaching Techniques in Psychology. American Journal of Applied Psychology, 8(5), 98-104. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20190805.12

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    ACS Style

    Sean Issac Gibbs. The Thespian Client: The Benefits of Role-playing Teaching Techniques in Psychology. Am. J. Appl. Psychol. 2019, 8(5), 98-104. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20190805.12

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    AMA Style

    Sean Issac Gibbs. The Thespian Client: The Benefits of Role-playing Teaching Techniques in Psychology. Am J Appl Psychol. 2019;8(5):98-104. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20190805.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajap.20190805.12,
      author = {Sean Issac Gibbs},
      title = {The Thespian Client: The Benefits of Role-playing Teaching Techniques in Psychology},
      journal = {American Journal of Applied Psychology},
      volume = {8},
      number = {5},
      pages = {98-104},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajap.20190805.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20190805.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajap.20190805.12},
      abstract = {Role-playing teaching techniques in psychology allows students the opportunity to practice the skills of a psychologist and examine mental health disorders in person. This technique simulates scenarios that students may face in their careers by creating fictional clients and role-playing situations solidifying professional therapeutic skills. Multiple studies have established the benefits of using student actors to play the role of “client” while allowing psychology students to play the role of “psychologist”. The purpose of this study is to examine the process of developing and implementing a role-playing learning project. A literature review was conducted examining the benefits and barriers of role-playing teaching techniques. The article describes how role-playing teaching techniques reinforce theories and skills taught to psychology students and increases their knowledge base through this simulated experience. Recommendations for creating a successful role-playing project are explored and a program curriculum template based on the study’s findings is provided. Future research implications of advance quantitative experimental studies are suggested to explore the overall effectiveness of the training project.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

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    AB  - Role-playing teaching techniques in psychology allows students the opportunity to practice the skills of a psychologist and examine mental health disorders in person. This technique simulates scenarios that students may face in their careers by creating fictional clients and role-playing situations solidifying professional therapeutic skills. Multiple studies have established the benefits of using student actors to play the role of “client” while allowing psychology students to play the role of “psychologist”. The purpose of this study is to examine the process of developing and implementing a role-playing learning project. A literature review was conducted examining the benefits and barriers of role-playing teaching techniques. The article describes how role-playing teaching techniques reinforce theories and skills taught to psychology students and increases their knowledge base through this simulated experience. Recommendations for creating a successful role-playing project are explored and a program curriculum template based on the study’s findings is provided. Future research implications of advance quantitative experimental studies are suggested to explore the overall effectiveness of the training project.
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Author Information
  • Department of Psychology, Dillard University, New Orleans, Louisiana

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