Communicating with

Adolescents

Why is social skills training important?

• Effective communication is important to be learned at an early age hence social skills training is important to be learned by adolescents at an early age

Examples of Communication

• Nonassertive• Believing that you cannot do anything that matters to

the group so you just stay in the corner

• Assertive• Believing that other people’s opinion matter as much

as yours

• Aggressive• Believing that your idea is the best and nothing can

beat it so you go for it and implement it

•  

Four Strategies

• It can be Non-verbal communication

• Being aware

• Being responsible

• Be a listener

Communication Around the World

Hypothetical Scenarios1. Scenario• Every time Sally is with friends they use hurtful words such as retarded, stupid, and ugly.

It begins to make her feel uncomfortable.

• Solving• It can be resolved by Sally being honest and telling her how the name calling makes her

feel

2. Scenario• David was at a football game and another kid was trying to start a fight with him

because he had the most attention from the girls.

• Solving• David can just ignore it and walk away. There is no need for him to say something to the

other guy who is just trying to pick a fight

3. Scenario• After cheerleading practice, the girls decided to ignore the new girl on the team because

they felt that she didn’t fit in with the group because her culture was different than theirs.

• Solving• being judgmental made the girls think the new girl doesn’t deserve a chance. They

should invite her out and get to know her rather than making assumptions about her.

Adolescents Using Communication in Different Ways.

Conclusion

• The four strategies we have discussed can clearly indicate whether an adolescent is assertive or not. Knowing your type as an adolescent will help you finds ways to balance it and be more effective in communicating with other adolescents around you for a better relationship.

References:• Chien-Ti, L., Beckert, T. E., & Goodrich, T. R. (2010). The relationship between individualistic, collectivistic, and transitional cultural value orientations and adolescents’ autonomy and identity status. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 39(8), 882-893. Retrieved from the ProQuest database.

• Jorgensen, G. (2006). Kohlberg and Gilligan: Duet or duel? Journal of Moral Education, 35(2), 179-196. Retrieved from the EBSCOhost database.

• Zastrow, C. H. & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2010). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (9th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage.

• Kaiser, B. (2006). Social Skills. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/social-skills/