The document outlines an international conference on social competence that took place from December 15-17, 2014 in Brussels, Belgium. It discusses the definition of social competence as creating effective social relations and cooperation towards goals. The effects of social competence are described as personal, social, and professional development. The components of social competence are identified as communication skills, cooperation, resolving conflicts, self-esteem, self-control, assertiveness, self-efficacy, and motivation. Key elements of each component are also detailed. The purpose of the conference was to discuss how social competence can be developed through games and activities.

1. INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE
15-17 December, 2014
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

2. Social competence
- a way of achieving personal
and professional realization
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

3. Overview
 definition of social competence
 the effect of social competence
 components of social competence
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

4. Definition of social competence
Most definitions of social competence talk
about:
 creating effective social relations
(Rubin & Rose-Krasnor, 1992);
 Cooperation with others towards goal
achievement and the generation of
adaptive coping mechanisms tailored to
the demands of the social environment
(Delamare le Deist & Winterton, 2005;
Mallinckrodt & Wei, 2005).
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

5. Definition of social competence
Key advantages of such definitions
 Breaks down and introduces social
competence as comprised of different
components.
 It opens up the possibility that social
competence can be developed through
the introduction and engagement in
games and activities.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

6. Effect of social competence
 Personal development
 Social development
 Professional development and realisation
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

7. Effects on personal development:
 Intensifies positive emotions;
 Limits negative emotions and feelings;
 Increases confidence and the seeking of
challenging goals;
 Increases control over own actions and
emotions (self-control);
 It increases self –efficacy;
 It helps the achievement of the goals related
to personal development;
 Increases the positive outlook on the world;
 Increases life satisfaction.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

8. Effects on social development:
 Facilitates the development of friendships
and relationships;
 Helps maintain the longevity of friendships;
 Develops social network;
 Facilitates group acceptance and belonging;
 Facilitates the control associated with the
initiation of contact and activities within the
groups;
 Self-actualisation within the group.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

9. Effects on professional realisation:
 Overcoming differences and conflicts with others;
 Problem solving;
 Achieving professional successes;
 Career progression;
 Better control at work;
 Better completing work related tasks; risk taking
without fearing failure;
 A more efficient goal achievement;
 Managing stress at the work place and work place
conflicts;
 Achieving higher levels of productivity;
 Increasing the influence the self has on others.SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

10. Components of social
competence
Subgroups:
 Communication skills;
 Cooperation;
 Resolving interpersonal conflicts;
 Self-esteem;
 Self-control;
 Assertiveness;
 Self-efficacy;
 Motivation.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

11.  Communication skills – Ability to convey
information effectively so that it is received
and understood; appropriate verbal and
nonverbal communication with colleagues,
managers, and customers/others.
 Cooperation – Ability to work together with
others.
 Resolving interpersonal conflicts – Ability to
manage conflicts in constructive ways.
 Self-esteem - A positive or negative
orientation toward oneself; on overall
evaluation of one’s worth or value; the
experience of being capable of managing
life’s challenges and being worthy of
happiness.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

12.  Self-control - Ability to control own
emotions and behavior, particularly in
difficult situations or under stress.
 Assertiveness – Ability to confidently
express views or needs without either
aggression /dominance/ undue
submissiveness towards others.
 Self – efficacy - Belief in one’s ability to
succeed in a particular situation.
 Motivation – Need, Interest/engagement,
effort, and persistence.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

13. Communication skills
Key elements
 Listening;
 Expression of emotions;
 Empathy;
 Acceptance;
 Trust;
 Self-disclosure;
 Initiating and maintaining conversations.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

14. Cooperation
Key elements
 Role-taking;
 Following rules and instructions;
 Planning and problem solving;
 Gratitude;
 Recognition of the achievements and the
merit of others;
 Engaging with prosocial behaviors.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

15. Resolving interpersonal conflicts
Key elements
 Problem definition;
 Generating alternatives solutions;
 Choice of solution;
 Implementation of the decision.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

16. Assertiveness
Key elements
 Making requests;
 Refuses unreasonable requests;
 Resisting against unfairness and injustices;
 Dealing with pressure from others;
 Achieving owns’ goals seeking help and
support from others.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

17. Self-esteem
Key elements
 Recognizing strengths;
 Expecting success;
 Minimizing criticism;
 Not overreacting to failures;
 Accepting positive feed-back -
accepting compliments;
 Connecting success with one’s abilities
and efforts;
 Accepting negative feed-back.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

18. Self-control
Key elements
 Completing tasks requiring efforts
 Regulations of negative emotions;
 Resisting of temptations;
 Concentration and ignore distractions.
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium

19. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
PROF.D-R RUMEN STAMATOV
ASSOC.PROF. D-R SVETLANA SARIYSKA
PLOVDIV UNIVERSITY “PAISII HILENDARSKI”
SGSCC, 531131-LLP-1-2012-1-BG-KA3-
KA3MP,International conference, Brussels,
Belgium