A Study of the Needs for Social Intelligence Development of the Younger Generation

Abstract

            The objectives of this research were 1) to study the current conditions and needs regarding the social intelligence of undergraduate students, and 2) to examine the essential needs for developing their social intelligence. This study was a part of the development of a social intelligence enhancement program for the young generation, based on social intelligence theory and social exchange theory, the target group included final-year undergraduate students entering the workforce, whether through professional training or actual employment. The research population consisted of 440 third-year undergraduate students from Faculty of Education, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. The research samples comprised 210 students selected for a survey through simple random sampling, and 10 students selected for interviews through quota sampling, drawn from both a group without experience and a group with experience in part-time work, with 5 students from each group. The researcher utilized a questionnaire and a structured interview form. The analysis involved calculating the mean, standard deviation, PNI modified analysis, and content analysis. The research findings revealed that the overall current condition of social intelligence among the students was at a moderately high level (= 4.21, S.D.= 0.37) meanwhile, the need for developing social intelligence was at a high level (= 4.21, S.D. = 0.37) 2) The areas with the highest essential needs for development were the ability to analyze the underlying thoughts and needs embedded in others’ verbal and nonverbal communication and the ability to think of or select appropriate social behaviors (PNI modified = 0.32) Conversely, the ability to analyze emotions implied in others’ verbal and nonverbal communication showed the lowest essential need (PNI modified = 0.26). Furthermore, most of the interviewees faced issues related to social intelligence. All of them agreed that social intelligence was essential for living in society, and they needed to develop social intelligence in all aspects.