Social Validation of the Revised Behavioral Assertiveness Test for Children (BAT-CR)

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the social validity of the Revised Behavioral Assertiveness Test for Children (BAT-CR). In Part I, 38 children responded to the BAT-CR. Responses were videotaped and retrospectively coded for components of assertiveness and rated for overall assertiveness by expert judges. In Part II, child "judges" viewed these videotapes and rated the taped children on likeability. Results revealed that while components like eye contact, response length, and verbal requests for new behavior were related systematically to expert ratings of assertiveness, they were either not related or related differentially to child ratings of likeability. Further, boy judges differed systematically from girl judges. Such findings question the social validity of the component approach. In addition, they question whether we may be teaching skills that are useful and important from an adult's perspective, but less so from a child's viewpoint.