Brief Scale to Evaluate Social Intelligence in Argentine Adolescents

Abstract

The theoretical approaches and instruments available for the study of social intelligence have been controversial, and so the empirical research around this construct is limited. For this reason and in line with the incipient interest in the social facets of intelligence, the objective of the present study was to design and evaluate the psychometric properties of a brief scale that will allow the evaluation of social intelligence in adolescents. In addition, it analyzes the differences of this construct according to sex. Method: 11 expert judges and 18 adolescents had an initial review of the items. The typification sample was made up of 291 Argentine adolescents, between 12 and 19 years old (M = 15.16; SD = 1.57). Results: all items were discriminatory. The exploratory factorial analysis specified a one-dimensional structure, which was confirmed, with satisfactory fit indices, through an AFC. The scale presents adequate internal consistency. No significant differences were observed according to sex. Conclusions: the present instrument allows evaluation, in a valid and reliable way, through a Lickert scale made up of 7 items, the social intelligence construct in adolescents.