SOCIAL SKILLS

AND ITS
TRAINING
Submitted by,

Merin K Baby

S2, MSW
INTRODUCTION

• Social skills are “a set of learned abilities that enable an individual to

interact competently and appropriately in a given social context”
(APA, 2018).

• Social Skills Training (SST) refers to “a structured and systematic

approach aimed at teaching individuals specific interpersonal skills
and behaviours to improve their social functioning and interaction
with others” (Bellack, 2004).

• It helps in enhancing the problem solving abilities of the client.

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USES OF SST

• Improving communication skills

• Building relationships

• Reducing social anxiety

• Enhancing job performance

• Addressing behavioural issues

• Supporting individuals with mental health conditions

• Assisting in education setting

• Promoting community integration

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 STEPS IN ASSESSING SKILL
DEFICITS
1. Identifying target skill

2. Behavioural observation

3. Self report measures

4. Peer and/or parent reports

5. Standardized assessments

6. Functional analysis

7. Continuous monitoring and adjustment

8. Baseline measurement

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IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS OF
SOCIAL SKILLS
• It involves breaking down complex social behaviors into
smaller, manageable sub-skills.

1. Cognitive components: Understanding social cues

2. Emotional components: Managing one’s emotions

effectively
3. Behavioural components: Specific behaviours or actions
required for successful social interactions.

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 FORMAT FOR TRAINING

1. Discuss the rationale and describe the skill

2. Identify the components of the skill

3. Model the skill

4. Practice the components of the skill using tools of SST

5. Evaluate after each practice

6. Combine the components of the skill and practice

7. Assessment and application of the skill in real-life situations

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TOOLS FOR SST

1. Behavioural rehearsal:

• Similar to role-play.

• Focus on repeating
and refining specific
behaviours or
actions.

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2. Video modeling

• Using videos to demonstrate appropriate social behaviours and

interactions.
• Individuals observe and learn from modeled behaviours.

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3. Social stories
• Short narratives designed to describe social situations and appropriate
responses.

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4. Comic strip conversations

• Using visual
representations, like
cartoons, to depict
social interactions and
facilitate understanding
of social cues and
emotions.

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5. Peer modeling

• Observing and
initiating the
behaviours of peers
who demonstrate
appropriate social
skills.

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6. Social skills games

• Board games, card

games or
computer-based
activities to teach
and reinforce
social skills in a
fun and interactive
manner.

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7. Visual supports

• Visual aids like charts, diagrams, cue cards that depict social skills.

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8. Role modeling

• Identify role models: Choose individuals who exhibit desired

social behaviors.
• Observe and analyze: Pay close attention to how role models
interact in various social settings.

• Imitate and practice: Practice mirroring the behaviors of role

models in similar situations.

• Give feedback: Give feedback to refine social skills.

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9. Role play

• Engages participants actively in practicing social interactions.

• Select scenarios relevant to the participants' social challenges.

• Assign roles to participants or allow them to choose.
• Rotate roles to allow a chance to practice different perspectives.

• Encourage improvisation within the scenario.

• Provide constructive feedback and opportunities for reflection.

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10. Feedback and reinforcement

• Feedback provides individuals with information about their

behavior, allowing them to understand what they are doing well and
areas for improvement.
• Positive reinforcement involves providing rewards or praise for
desired behaviors, encouraging individuals to repeat those
behaviors.

• Negative reinforcement can also be used, which involves removing

something unpleasant or aversive when a desired behavior occurs.

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CONCLUSION

• Social skills and its training play a vital role in the practice of
social work, providing essential ways for effectively engaging
with clients and facilitating positive outcomes.

• It aligns with the strengths-based approach, focusing on

enhancing the client’s existing abilities and resources.

• By fostering the development of social skills, social case

workers can empower clients to navigate the complexities of
social world with confidence and agency.

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