Características psicológicas e suas possíveis influências em habilidades sociais em adolescentes

Abstract

The psychological dimension of Introversion- Extroversion, the six Attribution Styles as related to Power, and the three types of Locus of Control, were studied to verify their possible influence on the use of Social Abilities by low income adolescents. Participants received psychological assistance from a Private Institution dedicated to Social Care that attends a community of nearly 800 families living in greater Rio de Janeiro. Twenty boys and forty girls took part in the study. Their age varied from 16 to 19 years, and their formal education from elementary school to completed secondary school. Four instruments were used to measure the variables described above: Comrey´s Personality Scale (1970), adapted by Rorigues (1973) and validated by Costa (2003) for introversion extroversion, Raven´s Power Basis (1993) as used by D´Amorin, & Assmar (1997), for Attribution, Leverson´s Locus of Control Scale (1974), adapted and validated by Dela Coleta (1987), and Del Prete & Del Prete (2001) Inventory of Social Abilities. Results showed for the girls a very slight difference between introversion and extroversion favoring the first dimension; this difference was more accentuated for the boys. Power Basis, was used only as an experimental variable, to influence the attribution variable results. Locus of Control influence on Social Abilities was limited to the external dimensions of Chance and Powerful Others. Social Abilitie of Conversation got the highest levels of variance explanation. It can be suggested that adolescent tend to attribute live events to external factors and this tendency is especially strong in connection with the origin of these events. They perceive their chances of life improvement as possible only through chance or the influence of powerful others. This disposition will lead them to emphasize the value of communication and social skills.