Addis Ababa Institute of Technology

Psychology Assignment
Title: Social Skills
Subtitle:
1. Social impact
2. Group pressure
3. Statements
Section 17

Group members ID NO.

1) Blen Ashagre UGR/7781/16
2) Bezawit Abera UGR/3215/16
3) Eyob Abrha UGR/0565/16
4) Hiruy Zerihun UGR/7444/16
5) Lemi Germa UGR/1308/16
6) Seblewongel Tesfaye UGR/4490/16
7) Tinse Aysheshim UGR/3476/16

Submitted To: Dr. Abera

Submission Date: 29 Feb, 2024

Material

Understanding Social Skills:............................................................................................................3

Importance of social skills...............................................................................................................4
Social impact....................................................................................................................................5
positive and negative social impacts................................................................................................7
Peer pressure and its impact on decision making............................................................................8
Types of social pressure: recognizing its various manifestations....................................................9
Combat peer pressure.....................................................................................................................10
Statements......................................................................................................................................11
Check assertiveness, aggression and passivity..............................................................................13
Develop assertiveness: foster confidence and effective communication.......................................14
Reference.......................................................................................................................................16

Understanding Social Skills:

Social skills refer to the skills that allow people to interact and communicate effectively with
others. These skills cover a variety of behaviors, including verbal and non-verbal
communication, empathy, active listening, conflict resolution, collaboration and emotional
intelligence. They are essential in human communication because they facilitate positive
relationships, help people understand social cues, and enable them to successfully navigate
various social situations.
Social Skills for Human Communication:
Social skills are important for successful human communication because they play a vital role. in
construction Maintain relationships. In a fast-paced, interconnected world, it is more important
than ever to have effective social skills. From handling job interviews to building friendships,
these skills are essential for personal and professional growth. Below are some important social
skills that are important when interacting with people:
1) Active listening: Being an active listener means giving the speaker your full attention,
maintaining eye contact and showing a genuine interest. This helps build a solid foundation
for effective communication and fosters deeper relationships with others.
2) Oral communication: Expressing thoughts and ideas clearly using appropriate language,
tone and body language is a basic social skill. Effective verbal communication allows people
to convey their message accurately, reducing the chance of misunderstanding and conflict.
3) Nonverbal communication: In addition to words, non-verbal cues such as facial
expressions, gestures and body posture also have a great impact. How people communicate.
Mastering this skill allows people to interpret and communicate non-verbally, improving
their ability to connect with others on a deeper level.
4) Empathy: The ability to understand and share the emotions of others is an essential
social skill. Empathy helps people respond compassionately to the feelings of others, resolve
conflicts effectively, and build strong relationships based on understanding and support.
5) Emotional intelligence: Awareness and control of emotions and sensitivity to the
feelings of others is a key characteristic of emotional intelligence. This skill promotes
effective communication, teamwork and conflict resolution, promotes positive
communication and mutual respect.
6) Cooperation and teamwork: The ability to work with others, appreciate different points
of view, and promote common goals is an important social skill. Strong teamwork skills
enable people to communicate, collaborate and build strong relationships in personal and
business settings.
7) Compatibility: In a constantly changing world, adaptability is essential for successful
interpersonal communication. The ability to respond and adapt positively to new situations,
people and challenges helps people form relationships and navigate competently in different
social environments.
8) Conflict Resolution: The ability to manage and resolve disputes amicably is a social
skill that helps maintain health. relationships. Relationships Effective conflict resolution
requires active listening, empathy, and the pursuit of mutually beneficial solutions, promoting
peaceful and harmonious communication.
 9) Network: Building and developing a network of relationships is an important soft skill in
a business environment. Networks allow people to connect with others, share information
and opportunities, and build a solid foundation for personal and professional growth.
10) Respect and Courtesy: Showing respect, courtesy, and courtesy to others is the
cornerstone of successful interpersonal relationships. These qualities create a positive
environment, build trust and foster stronger relationships, resulting in more satisfying and
meaningful relationships with others. By further developing these skills, individuals can
tackle the complexities of communication, foster rewarding relationships, and achieve
success in both their personal and professional fields.

Importance of social skills

Social skills play an important role in interacting with others and are essential for success in
various areas of life. From personal relationships to work environments, the ability to
communicate effectively, empathize and maintain healthy relationships is invaluable. Some of
the importance of social skills are listed below:
1) Cultivating Strong Connections: Social abilities empower individuals to forge
relationships by establishing connections, with others. By practicing listening, clear
communication, and empathy individuals can grasp the needs and viewpoints of others
fostering robust and genuine human connections.
2) Enhancing Emotional Awareness: Social skills foster the growth of emotional
intelligence which entails recognizing, understanding, and managing both one's own
emotions and those of others. Enhanced emotional intelligence equips individuals to navigate
relationships adeptly and enhance conflict resolution capabilities and overall well-being.
3) Resolving Disagreements: Proficient social skills empower individuals to settle disputes
and navigate disagreements harmoniously. The capacity to listen actively and communicate
persuasively. Finding common ground facilitates resolutions prevents conflicts, from
escalating, and fosters positive human interactions.
4) Good Communication: Good communication is essential, for building relationships, and
having skills is key to effective communication. Being clear and precise when
communicating helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures that messages are understood
correctly.
5) Collabration:Working together and collaborating as a team is crucial in both
professional settings. Social abilities, like listening showing empathy, and being committed
enable people to cooperate leveraging each person's strengths to reach shared objectives.
6) Leadership skills: Developing leadership involves honing skills. Leaders should be able
to motivate, inspire, and communicate well with their team members. Solid social skills
allow leaders to establish trust encourage dialogue and set an example.
7) Networking and career development: Soft skills are important for networking and
career advancement: both in ongoing professional development and career advancement.
 Developing and maintaining professional relationships is often critical to making the most of
opportunities, receiving invitations to apply for jobs, and receiving feedback from more
seasoned professionals. Good networking requires communication and interpersonal skills as
well as genuine interest in others.
8) Improving academic performance: Good communication and safe social and
emotional skills are a positive influence on succeeding in the school environment. Students
who have good social and communication skills will be better able to work together, and
benefit from participation in group discussions and asking teachers for help (with addressing
anxiety about speaking up or being discouraged to ask for help). Socialization skills will also
aid in the students maintaining healthy relationships with classmates and teachers alike.
Having a positive role model in a teacher who values being a good person but who doesn’t
shy away from an honest encounter will aid in creating an atmosphere of safety and trust,
which will support learners to build healthier social connections.
9) Improve self-esteem and confidence: Social skills training increases self-esteem and
confidence. The ability to feel more comfortable as a social being, to interact with others with
confidence, to know that you are in control, and to master your social skills is a good feeling.
It increases your self-confidence and puts you in a good mental state.
10) Ultimate successes in your life and work: Finally, excellent social skills can lead to
ultimate personal and professional success. If people can express themselves well to speak
and communicate with others, collaborate, build relationships, and resolve conflicts, they can
benefit their personal lives, their careers, and the quality of their life as a whole.

Social impact
Social influence refers to the process by which people influence each other's thoughts, feelings,
and behaviors. It takes various forms such as compliance, conformity and obedience, and plays
an important role in shaping our behavior in society. Understanding social influence is important
because it helps us understand how external factors and social norms influence our decision-
making processes and actions. Competition is an integral part of social influence. This occurs
when people adjust their attitudes or behavior according to majority opinion or dominant social
norms in a given context. People respond for a variety of reasons, including the need for social
approval, the desire to avoid social rejection, or simply the belief that others have more accurate
information. For example, a person may change their fashion choices, political views, or
opinions on certain issues to conform to the prevailing norms of their social group.
Conformity has both positive and negative consequences, as it facilitates social inclusion and
cooperation, but also inhibits individual expression and critical thinking. Another form of social
influence is conformity, which involves changes in behavior due to direct requests or orders from
others. Conformity often arises from recognized or implicit social norms that dictate how people
should behave in certain situations. For example, individuals may agree to a request from an
authority figure, such as a teacher or supervisor, because of their position of power.
Compliance can also be influenced by persuasive techniques such as the use of social proof,
scarcity or reciprocity to increase the likelihood that people will comply with certain demands or
requests. Understanding conformity is essential because it allows us to recognize when and why
we are most susceptible to influence and how to critically evaluate the requests of others.
Obedience is the highest form of social influence. It involves following explicit orders or orders
from authority, often without questioning their legality or moral implications. Obedience is
observed in situations where people like to follow orders, even if they conflict with their personal
values or beliefs. The famous Milgram experiment in the 1960s demonstrated how people could
be forced to deliver strong electric shocks to an innocent participant with only instructions from
an authority figure. Understanding Obedience sheds light on the power dynamics at play and the
potential dangers that arise when blind obedience overrides critical thinking and personal moral
reasoning.
Role of family and cultural norms in social influence
The concept of social influence is fundamental to human behavior and has a significant impact
on how we think, believe, and act. Numerous things, such as cultural norms and family, have an
impact on this. A person's values and ideas are mostly shaped by their family from a young age,
making them the primary societal influence. Cultural standards can give people a foundation for
deciphering and understanding social conduct.The family system, the primary social component,
is crucial in forming a person's values and ideas. Families provide children with their initial
exposure to societal norms and conduct. Children learn about moral principles, appropriate
cultural customs, and social behavior from their parents and other family members when they are
young. For example, children who grow up in families where honesty and respect come first,
show these qualities in their interactions with others. Therefore, the family has a significant
impact on the behavior of an individual, because it forms their social values and directs their
actions throughout life.
However, cultural standards establish a wide foundation for social influence. A certain group of
people's shared values, beliefs, and actions make up their culture. It offers standards for proper
behavior in society and helps people feel like they belong. Societies differ in their cultural norms,
which frequently define how individuals should act in certain social situations. For instance,
whilst collectivism and peace within the group are valued in some cultures, individualism and
self-expression are valued in others. A person's conduct is shaped by these cultural standards,
which also affect how they interact with others, handle conflict, and make decisions.

The interaction of family and cultural norms in social influence occurs through the
intergenerational transmission of cultural values. Families act as the main arbiters of culture,
transmitting traditions, customs and norms to ensure their preservation and continuity. By
following these cultural values, individuals maintain a strong identity and fulfill their social roles
in their community. For example, in cultures that emphasize filial piety, children are expected to
show respect and care for their parents, even when they are adults. These expectations of family
dynamics are influenced by cultural norms and have significant social effects on individuals.
Furthermore, the influence of family and cultural norms on social behavior goes beyond the
family exchange unit. People often try to conform to social expectations and norms influenced
by their family in order to gain acceptance and avoid social influence. The pressure to conform
can be so strong that people feel the need to suppress their individual desires and opinions in
order to conform to established norms. This conformity can be seen in various aspects of life,
from adopting the dress codes of certain cultures to traditional gender roles in families.

Positive and negative social impacts

Social effects are a significant factor in determining our attitudes, behaviors, and thoughts in the
connected world of today. Although certain social forces positively affect our lives, others may
have negative effects favorable social impact
Positive social impact:
1) Empathy and Compassion: We are more likely to develop empathy and compassion
when we are in the company of kind and compassionate others. These beneficial social
impacts foster a more supportive and inclusive community by motivating individuals to lend
a hand and support one another.
2) Motivational Model: Among the positive social impacts are exemplary role models who
aspire to be like the characteristics we find admirable. We can be motivated to take on
obstacles, attempt new things, and accomplish our goals by these role models. Their
accomplishments and tales of success can act as a model for us.
3) Promotion of academic motivation: positive social influences within an academic
setting can boost students’ desire to succeed and achieve their own potential. Students who
collaborate, peer-mentor and have supportive friends show improved academic attainment
because they feel more competent, responsible, and able to achieve intellectually.
4) Development of inter-personal skills: Positive role models can help people develop
their social skills, for example their influence skills. Communication, decision making,
problem solving and teamwork. The positive discourse gives the people the opportunity to
learn and deal with relations, communication is the key and communication is greatly
influenced by positive talk. With the strong bond developed, one can be create great social
habits which is very good and a key for success both at work and at home.
5) Assess cultural diversity: The social impact with diversity in culture can broad our
knowledge and acceptance to other community. Therefore, we will love each other utilize our
mind for a better world. Sometimes we get to meet diversity cultural and traditions that
would change out ways of thinking. However,that initiates more consciousness and feeling of
acceptiveness and being together.
Negative social impact:
1) Group pressure: One of the most common negative social influences is peer pressure.
This can cause people to engage in risky behavior, adopt unhealthy habits, or make bad
decisions against their better judgment. Peer pressure can have a detrimental effect on a
person's self-esteem, well-being and overall development.
2) Negative model: Negative social influences can arise from negative role models who
exhibit undesirable behaviors or attitudes. These role models can promote aggression, drug
addiction or immoral actions that deceive people and perpetuate harmful behavior in society.
3) Cyberbullying: With the expansion of social media, cyberbullying has become a
negative social impact. People can experience harassment, humiliation and psychological
distress from persistent cyberbullying. This can have serious consequences for mental health,
self-esteem and general social well-being.
4) social comparison: Social media platforms can often lead to negative social effects
because people are constantly comparing themselves to others online. This can lead to low
self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy and unrealistic expectations. The pressure to conform to
arbitrary social norms can place a significant strain on people's mental and emotional health.
5) General consumerism: One negative social impact in our consumer society is the
culture of materialism and necessity. This consumer mindset can lead people to prioritize
material possessions over other important aspects of life, leading to a superficial and unstable
outlook on personal happiness and success.

Peer pressure and its impact on decision making

Peer pressure is an ever-present force that can significantly influence a person's decision-making
process. It refers to the influence of peers or social groups to conform to certain behaviors,
attitudes or preferences. These pressures can be both positive and negative and their impact on
decision-making varies from person to person. For college students who are in the process of
self-discovery and identity formation, it is important to understand and understand the
consequences of peer pressure on their choices. By identifying and critically evaluating the
effects of peer pressure, students can develop resilience, make informed decisions and foster
personal growth.
First, peer pressure can lead to positive outcomes and influence decision making in beneficial
ways. For example, colleagues can encourage students to adopt healthy habits such as regular
exercise, diligent study and a balanced lifestyle. When you are surrounded by people who value
personal growth, the pressure to excel academically and pursue your passion can become a
positive driving force. Additionally, friends can encourage each other to participate in
extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or community initiatives that encourage responsibility
and empathy. Therefore, the influence of positive peer pressure can shape an individual's
personal and professional development decision.
On the other hand, the negative side of peer pressure can strongly influence decisions and often
mislead people. The desire to achieve social acceptance and fit in can lead students to engage in
risky behaviors such as drug abuse, skipping class, or unhealthy relationships. When people
prioritize peer approval over their own values or aspirations, they may make decisions that
jeopardize their well-being and long-term goals. It is important for students to develop their self-
awareness and prioritize their values and desires so that they are not easily swayed by negative
peer pressure.
Furthermore, the impact of peer pressure on decision-making should not be underestimated, as
college students are in a critical stage of self-discovery and identity formation and are often more
sensitive to external influences. Often, they do not have the resources to critically evaluate
different options and fully understand the consequences of their actions. This vulnerability
creates strong decision-making skills, autonomy, and a strong sense of self-esteem for students.
By building a strong foundation of personal values and beliefs, students can better withstand
negative peer pressure and make decisions based on their own well-being and future goals. To
combat the negative effects of peer pressure, students must develop resilience and seek positive
role models. Developing a support network of friends who have similar values and goals can
provide a buffer against negative peer pressure. Open communication with trusted advisors or
family can also help people gain perspective and make informed decisions. In addition, by being
aware of their own vulnerability and understanding how peer pressure can influence decision-
making processes, students can anticipate and recognize potentially harmful situations, allowing
them to act accordingly. Is available.

Types of social pressure: recognizing its various manifestations

Peer pressure is a powerful force that can significantly influence a person's behavior, thoughts
and choices in various areas of life. Students who have to immerse themselves in a dynamic
social environment are particularly vulnerable to special peer pressure.
1) Positive Peer Pressure: This is perhaps the most beneficial effect that students often
encounter. This type of peer pressure refers to cases where friends or classmates encourage
each other to adopt productive and creative behavior. This can include academic activities
such as studying together or motivating each other to achieve academic goals. In addition,
positive social pressure can extend to promoting healthy lifestyles, such as encouraging
exercise or adopting nutritious eating habits. Such influences foster personal growth, develop
a supportive community, and contribute to the student's overall well-being.
2) Negative Peer Pressure: This term, which is frequently linked to the idea of peer
pressure, describes circumstances in which people are coerced or persuaded to act in a way
that is detrimental or immoral. Drug misuse, dangerous sexual activity, fraud, and
involvement in unlawful activities are a few examples. Peer pressure that is harmful to
 students' emotional well-being, academic achievement, and social connections can have a big
effect. Students should be able to identify and fend off these detrimental impacts, which are
frequently made easier by being upfront with one another and creating coping mechanisms.
3) Implicit peer pressure: This is the power an individual obtains from merely seeing the
deeds and mannerisms of his peers. Peer pressure affects college students greatly, particularly
in regards to clothes, lifestyle, and social media patterns. People replicate the attitudes and
behaviors of their peers in an attempt to fit in, which shapes their own identities and ideas.
While indirect social pressure can occasionally foster self-expression and innovation, it can
also result in a loss of authenticity and the emergence of a herd mentality

4) Direct Peer Pressure: Students experience this on a regular basis. impact on your day-to-
day existence. Direct peer pressure is the most direct and potent form of peer influence, as
opposed to indirect peer pressure, which might be mild and impartial. Explicit requests or
demands to adopt particular behaviors or comply to certain norms that influence people's
decisions and actions are frequently how this is expressed. This kind of pressure
May be powerful and difficult to resist because it directly challenges the ability to assert
autonomy and navigate the social fabric of college life. Therefore, college students should
carefully assess the consequences of direct peer pressure to ensure that their decisions are
consistent with their personal values and goals.

Combat peer pressure

By using the following strategies, college students can build a strong foundation for personal
growth, confidence, and long-term success while fostering healthy relationships and respect for
personal autonomy.
1) Develop self-awareness: be strong and challenging to oppose since it takes aim at the
capacity to exercise self-determination and negotiate the social structure of college life. In
order to make decisions that are in line with their own values and objectives, college students
should carefully consider the effects of direct peer pressure.
Resist peer pressure College students can cultivate positive relationships and a respect for
their own autonomy while laying a solid foundation for long-term success, personal
development, and self-assurance by using the following tactics.
Think about your values, beliefs, and objectives; Recognize your strengths and
shortcomings; Use your strong self-awareness to make decisions on your own; Think about
the election's long-term effects. Prior to giving in to peer pressure.

2) Building a support network:

⮚ Assemble a group of upbeat, like-minded individuals who seek out wholesome
friendships and relationships built on respect and encouragement for one another. # Have
comparable values and aspirations. Speak with advisors, counselors, or other reliable
 adults who can offer direction and counsel.
#Join groups at the institution or in the community that encourage self-expression and
personal development.

⮚ 3)Assertiveness and effective communication: : Develop your assertiveness to speak

your mind and set boundaries with confidence. Express your choices and decision-
making procedures in a straightforward manner, avoiding outside influences.
#When faced with peer pressure, learn how to say no. circumstances that could endanger
one's health or moral principles.
#Improve interpersonal skills through understanding people' viewpoints and actively
listening to them in order to create solutions that will benefit both parties.

Statements
Assertiveness is a fundamental quality that requires the ability to express thoughts, feelings and
ideas with confidence and respect. It is about protecting oneself without violating the rights of
others. A confident person knows how to communicate his needs effectively, ask for what he
wants, and set boundaries that promote open communication and understanding. This trait is
highly valued both personally and professionally because it promotes healthy relationships,
enables effective decision-making and increases self-confidence.

The main characteristics of an assertive person:

1) Clear and direct communication.: A self-assured individual is able to communicate his
requirements, wants, and opinions in a straightforward manner. They refrain from striking or
acting in a passive-aggressive manner.
2) Self-confidence in oneself: Individuals who possess self-confidence also have faith in
their own abilities. They are confident in themselves and their choices.
3) Active listening: People with assertiveness are good listeners who focus entirely on
others. By maintaining eye contact, nodding, and seeking clarification, when necessary, they
demonstrate active listening. This demonstrates your regard for the speaker's ideas
4) Considerate and respectful behavior: People who are trustworthy are sensitive to the
needs and emotions of others. They know how important it is to treat everyone with dignity,
regardless of their backgrounds or differences in viewpoints. They protect their
needs without considering the opinions of others.
5) Conflict resolution and negotiation skills: A confident person can deal effectively with
conflicts and disagreements. They want an open and respectful debate and want a solution
that satisfies all parties. They understand the importance of compromise and are willing to
find a middle ground.
 ❖ In general, few people have the qualities necessary to communicate effectively, assert
their needs, and maintain healthy relationships. Through clear communication skills, self-
confidence, respect, active listening and conflict resolution skills, confident people can face
different situations, stay true to themselves and consider the needs of others.

Importance of perseverance
Assertiveness is an essential and very important skill in personal and professional life. It refers to
the ability to express oneself with confidence and conviction while respecting the rights and
feelings of others. The art of assertiveness allows people to effectively communicate their needs,
thoughts and feelings, leading to higher self-esteem, stronger relationships and better decision-
making. Below are some key points that emphasize the importance of self-confidence.
1) Better trust: Self-confidence allows people to express their thoughts and feelings openly,
which increases feelings of trust. By valuing and protecting himself, a confident person
develops a positive self-image and feels more secure. This increase in self-esteem has a far-
reaching impact on various aspects of life, such as relationships, career and personal
development.
2) Better communication skills: Confidence helps people communicate their needs and
wants clearly, which promotes effective communication. This encourages active listening and
ensures that opinions and discussions are heard and acknowledged. By affirming themselves,
people can avoid misunderstandings and conflict, leading to stronger and healthier
relationships.
3) Establish effective boundaries: Assertiveness allows people to create and maintain
healthy boundaries. By being clear about personal boundaries, confident people protect
themselves from abuse. Setting boundaries also ensures that people can prioritize their needs
without feeling guilty, leading to a better balance between personal and professional life.
4) Helps in setting limits, prioritizing of their needs without getting guilty blended with the
personal and work life of an individual. Make better decisions: Assertiveness helps the person to
communicate his/her own opinions and get involved in the discussion so that he/she actively
collaborates in the decision-making process. In various situations, confident people have
impacted results by expressing their ideas confidently and being a major contributor to change.
This capacity enhances confidence and the decision-making process, enabling individuals to
strive more optimally to attain their goals.

5) Conflict management: Management of good conflict and misguiding disagreement requires

trust, which when expressed in an articulate manner, allows one to promote cooperation between
conflicting parties. Assertive persons involve themselves in problem-solving activities and work
to find win-win solutions that meet everybody's needs.

6) Career development: Assertiveness is very much valued in a work situation because it

presents strong leadership qualities. Communicating their thoughts, taking initiative, and
expressing their wishes often give careers a lift for individuals who exhibit such behavior. It gives
one the ability to have better negotiation opportunities and express what one is worth or even get
that promotion or raise that one has no guts to ask for.

7) The second health-related benefit is mental well-being. Assertiveness induces the state of
mental well-being by removing the levels of stress and anxiety that one goes through due to
unexpressed emotions and unmet needs. Through confident expression, people avoid the
suppression of these emotions, thus maintain one's mental health. Moreover, self-control fosters
self-advocacy enabling people to sufficiently seek support or help wherever necessary for
betterment in general health.

Check assertiveness, aggression and passivity

General ways of communicative behavior in the course of relationships and interactions

characteristic for each personality are assertiveness, aggression, and passiveness. They relate to
preferences in the expression of needs, thoughts, and feelings, a fact that makes them very
important for the establishment and conducting healthy and effective communication.
Assertiveness, aggression, and passiveness are, in some extent, similar, and indeed, differences
can be underlined by what behavior results in, its underlying motivations, and outcomes.
 Assertiveness: As a communication style, assertiveness involves being able to state one's
needs, wishes, desires and opinions in a direct but at the same time well-mannered manner.
The assertive person is confident and independent, able to stand up for themselves so long as
the opinions of others may weigh upon them. The communication should be so made that its
type of communication is related in a manner that encourages both open dialogue and active
listening apart from providing a frame for conflict resolution. Being an assertive person
boosts self-esteem, allows one to form good relationships and set boundaries to protect their
human rights.

 Aggression is on the opposite end of assertiveness and pertains to a method of articulating

one's needs, desires, and ideas without taking into consideration the position or feelings of
another individual, but at the same time not hurting them. An aggressive person usually
attacks others through insult, threats, or even hostile behavior in a way to achieve his goals.
The communication style is characterized by domination and intimidation along with a win-
at-all-costs attitude. The aggression style can lead to a damaged relationship with each other
or even be accompanied with negative emotional results. This does not allow room for the
possibility of effective cooperative communication, unlike assertiveness.

 Passiveness: Inversely proportional to the styles of assertiveness and aggression,

passiveness refers to a general style of communication in which the individual seeks to
avoid either conflict or the expression of one's own needs. Passive communicators tend to
put others' feelings and opinions above their own and often neglect their own needs so that
one can maintain outside harmony. Self-defeatism, low self-esteem, and interpersonal
conflict may develop as a result of passiveness since it entails failing to speak up or hold
confidently to one's ideas, thereby letting one's needs go unresolved and certain problems
unaddressed.

 Behavior and talk: Confident individuals adopt a clear and direct mode of communication
which means the technique of expressing thoughts and feelings in first person without
attacking or belittling others. Your confidence will be shown through the nonverbal
components like making eye contact, sitting up straight, speaking with a confident tone and
so on. Aggressive people will most probably put up hostile body language that includes
raised voices, aggressive body language, as well as an intense facial expression. Passive
people do not make eye contact, deliver their messages in a quiet voice, and have a posture
that depicts indecision and reluctance to stand up for themselves.

 Assertiveness is motivated by the desire for self-mutual understanding, mutual cooperation,

and achievement of mutual undertakings.
 Basic motivations: Assertive people aim to balance what they want and need for themselves
against the wants and needs of others, and they stress empathy and regard for others. On the
other hand, aggression is essentially based on frustration, anger or the necessity to assert
power over others. Aggression will be channeled through hostility to acquire dominion, rule
or control in a relationship. Passiveness, in blatant contrast, is manifested by a singular
motivation to avoid conflict, criticism or rejection so that one ultimately begins to capitulate
to another person's demands rather than showing disagreement.

 The consequences will vary across the styles of communication but from desirable to
undesirable. Desirable include better and constructive relationships, critical thinking, self-
respect, and encouraged assertiveness, which by and large should be able to indicate trust,
respect, open communications, and chances for personal development and along with it,
development of healthy boundaries. The undesirable would be in terms of damaged
relationships and increased hostility which will persist until further aggression is caused
either directly or indirectly through retaliation.

Develop assertiveness: foster confidence and effective communication

In today's dynamic world, it becomes important to be self-confident in order to have personal

and professional growth. This usually entails effective communication, confident expressions
about oneself, standing up for their rights, and sharing thoughts and ideas with respect for others.
Developing assertiveness skills enables a person to face up to difficult situations, set healthy
limits, and construct successful relations. The essay purports to provide students with practical
strategies helpful in the development of self-confidence with the emphasis on self-awareness,
communication, and personal development.

1. How to Be Confident: A Beginning Review the ideas of confidence-what is it, how it may be
learned, and built upon, step by step. Learn the differences between concepts of being assertive,
passive, and even aggressive. Discover how critical trust is to human development, to self-
confidence and to relationships.

2. Building Confidence:
 A person should focus on his faults and virtues almost equally for self-acceptance
to take place.
 The goals set by people should be reasonable and when achieved, reward
themselves.
 To guide other persons to set achievable but challenging goals, they should make
themselves do more daily than what they generally expect.
  They should talk to themselves in their minds using positive terms to entice them
towards fighting boredom

3. Develop your communication skills:

 Listen to others so that one can learn to look at the world from other people’s eyes and
become empathic.

 Be able to express one’s ideas, wishes, and concerns convincingly.

 Be able to say “no” in an unoffensive yet confident manner when there arises a necessity.

 Interpret gestures like body language, voice tone, eye contact for information and
interaction purposes.

4. Boundaries: Giving professional help or advice is rendered in helpful ways when one
knows how to and is able to set limits. One must set clear personal limits and be able to
communicate such to others in a respectful and firm way. State the limits clearly; state
exactly what the personal need is, and then consistently enforce the limit while respecting
the limits of others.
5. Conflict management: Understand that there will always be arguments, but they can
easily be solved in a gentlemanly manner. Use I-statements, expressions of one’s feelings
and concerns, focusing on personal experiences only without any blaming or attacking.
Find some middle ground and let’s work this out so that everybody is happy in the end.
Active problem-solving practice with negotiations.
6. Assertion of self in personal relationships: present your feelings; underline your
expectations with honesty, clarity, and open communication. Use confidence in hard or
comfortable situations such as response to criticism, no possibility in an unreasonable
proposal, always adjustable confidence in one respect and others.
7. Continuous self-reflection and development: You ought to be evaluating your confidence
after different time intervals and finding areas of improvement. It is much better to seek
feedback from reliable persons in the surroundings to understand the efficacy of your
style of communication. You should introspect about adjusting your confidence level with
changing circumstances and also enhance learning by following confident role models.

❖ Empowerment is an ongoing journey that involves a commitment to continuous personal,

professional development; self-awareness; self-reflection; and practice. Confidence and
Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication skills, good boundaries, and students who
embrace self-confidence help develop high self-esteem. These boosters help in making
improvements within the area of personal and professional relationship skills of students.
 Assertiveness also helps in enabling people to handle conflict constructively and represent
themselves in public settings, fostering growth in personal development.
Thus, when the student makes attempts to be confident with himself, they open more
opportunities for success and satisfaction in their lives.

Interpersonal Skills And Confidence

As such, there is a dire need for overcoming these problems using specially designed
'Interpersonal skills and confidence. People skills are mutual abilities under the conditions of
interaction with people, which are basically how we relate, communicate, and interact.
Developing them helps one build positive relationships, improve team productivity and
effectiveness, clear communication and effective problem-solving.

Assertiveness, as an important communications skill, clearly expresses self and the right of the
person but without violation of the rights of another one. It means constructive means of
communication through which persons can express their opinion and need without hostility or
compromise to the self-esteem of other persons.

A number of benefits are found in statements: less conflict, better decision making, improvement
in communication, increased self-confidence, greater work and personal satisfaction. People who
see themselves as self-confident receive better reviews from others in the workplace, typically by
self-report, according to lead researcher Ames, who also believes self-confidence is a key
ingredient for job success. Overconfidence, however, is not always viewed as an entirely positive
attribute: Overconfident individuals can be seen as being aggressive and accused of causing
interpersonal conflict. It's all about finding a balance. One therefore develops interrelations skills
and confidence to communicate well harmoniously in an environment.

Reference
⮚ Wheeler Y Gibbs (2019)

⮚ Barkoukis et al (2016)

⮚ very nice family

⮚ International Journal of Indian Psychology.

⮚ American Psychological Association

⮚ Psychology skin

⮚ AIMS, D.R. (2009). Getting to a point: Assertiveness and effectiveness in leadership and
interpersonal dynamics. Organizational Behavior Research, 29, 111-133.
⮚ Riggio, R.E. (1986). Assessment of basic social skills. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 51(3), 649-660.