This study examined the effects of a group treatment of Self-Instructional Training (S.I.T.) with an institutionalized aged (65 or over) population. The purpose of the S.I.T. program was to increase the positive content of speech elicited in a structured social interaction. S.I.T., as developed for this study, followed Meichenbaum's three phase model. First was the educational phase, where the rationale and introduction were presented. Second was the rehearsal phase where therapeutic techniques were developed and modeled. Third was the application phase where newly acquired skills were practiced. Four groups (total N = 51) were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the no-treatment control group at each of two residential care facilities. The S.I.T. program emphasized substitution of negative self-statements with positive self-statements aimed at developing a more successful repertoire of social interaction skills. Results were analyzed by comparing tabulated positive minus negative self-statements elicited during tape recorded standard interviews. Statistical analysis showed significantly more positive response sets for the experimental subjects on four of the ten hypotheses that reflected the ten standard interview questions. The analysis of the combined responses from the entire interview showed significant differences favorinq a positive response pattern for the experimental subjects. These findings were interpreted to demonstrate the effectiveness of S.I.T. for increasing positive speech content in an institutionalized aged population. A case was made for increased use of S.I.T. programs as a therapeutic means of ameliorating a range of problems faced by the aged. / Graduation date: 1983