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The acquisition of social competence: An examination of factors influencing children's level of social competence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2015

Mandie B. Shean ,
Lisbeth T. Pike  and
Paul T. Murphy
Mandie B. Shean*
Affiliation:
Edith Cowan University
Lisbeth T. Pike
Affiliation:
Edith Cowan University
Paul T. Murphy
Affiliation:
Edith Cowan University
*
14 Cachuca Court, DUNCRAIG, WA 6023, Phone: 08 9447 7520, Email: mshean@student.ecu.edu.au
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Abstract

The acquisition of social competence is an important developmental task for children. This review examines how children's characteristics and environmental factors contribute to children's achievement of social competence. Environmental factors are addressed through Bronfenbrenner's (1999) ecological systems model of the microsystem, mesosystem and exosystem. The microsystem includes the home environment with parent-parent, parent-child and sibling relationships. The mesosystem includes the school environment with peer and teacher relationships. Finally, the exosystem incorporates indirect environments such as parent work, economic status and the media. Issues of reciprocal effects are addressed and the suggestion is made that social competence is the result of a pattern of experiences rather than one or two major causes. It is recommended that future research focus on children's experiences that have lasting effects.

Keywords

ChildrenSocial CompetenceSystems
Type
Research Article
Information
The Educational and Developmental Psychologist , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , 2005 , pp. 29 - 46
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society 2005

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