Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) is a group psychotherapy for individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Impairments in social functioning are among the hallmark characteristics of schizophrenia. These deficits predict relapse rate and may be independent of better-studied symptoms such as hallucinations. Additionally, studies indicate that social functioning is one of the most important domains for individuals with schizophrenia, many of whom consider social functioning to be a key area of unmet need. Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) is a group psychotherapy for individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Social cognition refers to the thinking processes that people use to navigate the social world. Deficits in social cognition hinder people with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses from living meaningful, socially connected lives. The SCIT Clinician Guide provides comprehensive instruction for mental health professionals to enhance social cognition and promote rewarding social lives for their clients. SCIT is appropriate for adults suffering from psychotic illness and who have interpersonal difficulties as a result. SCIT is particularly appropriate for individuals with symptoms of suspiciousness and paranoia. The authors summarize the rationale and theoretical underpinnings of SCIT, distinguish it from other treatments for psychosis, provide an overview of the intervention, explain the links between the intervention activities and the underlying theoretical model, and describe SCIT implementation session-by-session. SCIT is a 20- to 24-week group-based treatment that can be delivered by mental health clinicians of all levels in a wide range of community and hospital settings. SCIT uses exercises, games, discussion formats, and interactive social stimuli to target and improve specific areas of social cognitive dysfunction, and includes user-friendly tips and handouts for clients. It also provides web access to a library of videos, images and slide shows that are used to bring the SCIT training sessions to life.

Social Cognition in Psychosis combines current research on phenotypes, neurobiology, and existing evidence on the assessment and treatment of various forms of psychoses. The book presents various treatment options, including assessment approaches, tools and training methods that aid in the rehabilitation of patients with psychotic disorders. Social cognition is a set of psychological processes related to understanding, recognizing, processing and appropriately using social stimuli in one's environment. Individuals with psychotic disorders consistently exhibit impairments in social cognition. As a result, social cognition has been an important target for intervention, with recent efforts trying to enhance early recovery among individuals with psychotic disorders.

Understanding Social Cognition: Theory, Perspectives and Cultural Differences opens with a study exploring the social-signaling, ethological predictions that: a) smaller body stature (e.g., height) is associated with greater reported belief in God; and b) physical stature may mediate the association between gender and faith reporting. Following this, the empirical evidence for the types of current theories of social-cognitive interventions for children and adolescents with ASD are reviewed. The authors examine the evidence-based effectiveness of social-cognitive interventions, based on the categorization of theories identified in this review, to promote social participation for individuals with ASD. Also in this compilation, a new paradigm is presented for a more creatively enhanced and socially inclusive evolution of human reality construct building than can be projected using current physicalist models. A chapter is included which describes the development process of the SCIT-Hong Kong Version since 2011, defining key modifications of the SCIT for use with Chinese populations in Hong Kong, and shared preliminary findings on effectiveness of SCIT. An expert panel of clinicians reviewed the cultural relevance and content validity of the SCIT for application in Hong Kong. Based on this review, the researcher modified and translated the content of original SCIT. Subsequently, an evaluation of social cognitive function assessments in Chinese populations is presented. The authors review 10 social cognitive assessments, summarize the strengths and weaknesses of these assessments and propose a battery that could provide a quick assessment of multiple social cognitive domains.

Deficits in social cognition and metacognition in schizophrenics makes it difficult for them to understand the speech, facial expressions and hence emotion and intention of others, as well as allowing little insight into their own mental state. These deficits are associated with poor social skills, fewer social relationships, and are predictive of poorer performance in a work setting. Social Cognition and Metacognition in Schizophrenia reviews recent research advances focusing on the precise nature of these deficits, when and how they manifest themselves, what their effect is on the course of schizophrenia, and how each can be treated. These deficits may themselves be why schizophrenia is so difficult to resolve; by focusing on the deficits, recovery may be quicker and long lasting. This book discusses such deficits in early onset, first episode, and prolonged schizophrenia; how the deficits relate to each other and to other forms of psychopathology; how the deficits affect social, psychological, and vocational functioning; and how best to treat the deficits in either individual or group settings. - Summarizes the types of social cognitive and metacognitive deficits present in schizophrenia - Discusses how deficits are related to each other and to other forms of psychopathology - Describes how deficits impact function and affect the recovery process - Provides treatment approaches for these deficits

This popular manual presents an empirically tested format and ready-made curricula for skills training groups in a range of settings. Part I takes therapists and counselors step by step through assessing clients' existing skills, teaching new skills, and managing common treatment challenges. Part II comprises over 60 ready-to-photocopy skill sheets. Each sheet--essentially a complete lesson plan--explains the rationale for the skill at hand, breaks it down into smaller steps, suggests role-play scenarios, and highlights special considerations. Of special value for practitioners, the 8 1/2" x 11" format makes it easy to reproduce and use the practical materials in the book.