There are a number of critical elements that define “social competence.”
Positive Self Identity
- Sense of competence
- Personal power
- Sense of worth
- Sense of purpose
- Positive view of personal future
Interpersonal Skills
- Maintains friendly relationships
- Communicates ideas, needs, and feelings
- Expresses affection, cooperates, helps make friendly contacts with others
- Expresses emotions
- Understands the emotions of others
- “Reads” social situations accurately
- Adjusts behavior to meet demands in social situations
- Resolves conflicts peacefully
- Handles frustrations constructively
- Gives and receives emotional support
- Compromises
- Asserts own ideas, accepts other’s ideas
- Acknowledges other people’s rights
Self-Regulation
- Reflects on feelings
- Controls impulses
- Delays gratification
- Resists temptations
- Resists peer pressure
- Monitors self
- Perseveres when faced with challenges
Planning, Organizing, and Decision-Making Skills
- Listens
- Follows directions
- Considers options and alternatives in relation to self and others
- Makes choices
- Solves problems
- Develops plans
- Plans ahead
- Carries out positive actions to achieve social goals
- Uses self-direction to complete tasks
Cultural Competence
- Knowledge of, comfort with, and respect for people of varying ethnic or racial or religious backgrounds
- Ability to interact effectively with people of varying cultural ethnic or racial or religious backgrounds
- Recognizes unfair treatment
- Questions unfair treatment
- Acts to obtain social justice
Social Values
- Caring
- Equity
- Social justice
- Honesty
- Responsibility
- Healthy lifestyles and sexual attitudes
- Flexibility
Social competence is something we must all work to improve on each day. Social competence is something we must instill in our children and grandchildren.