Author: Santanu Panda
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/03100019
Abstract: Social competence represents the capacity to interact effectively with others, encompassing skills such as communication, empathy, cooperation, conflict resolution, and adaptability. Its development is not confined to a specific age but unfolds dynamically from early childhood into adulthood, shaped by family, peers, education, culture, and broader socio-economic factors. This paper explores the trajectory of social competence, starting from the formative playground years where foundational interpersonal skills are learned, to adolescence where peer influence and identity formation become critical, and into adulthood where these skills underpin professional success, intimate relationships, and civic engagement. Drawing upon theories of child development, including Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, Erikson’s psychosocial stages, and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the study highlights the interplay between individual dispositions and environmental contexts. The article also examines the role of schools, extracurricular activities, and digital interactions in fostering or impeding social competence. Understanding this developmental continuum is essential for designing interventions that promote healthy social functioning, prevent maladjustment, and equip individuals to navigate the complexities of modern society.
Keywords: Social Competence, Child Development, Peer Interaction, Family Climate, Adolescence.
Page No: 143-151