ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to assist individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia to develop social roles, and the task and interpersonal skills nested within these roles, is based on a set of guidelines for clinical practice entitled Role Development. This set of guidelines addresses the development of task and interpersonal skills as they relate to an individual's roles as worker, student, group member, and friend. The theoretical concepts for the Role Development set of guidelines for practice were derived primarily from the Role Acquisition frame of reference. The theoretical base of Role Development addresses five principles: the nature of the individual; what needs to be learned; how learning takes place; typical and atypical development; and appropriate tools. Typical development occurs when an individual interacts in an environment that promotes exploration, competency, and mastery. Group members selecting and planning activities together frequently provide the necessary stimuli for facilitating the development of interpersonal skill.
