The Role of Social Intelligence in Overcoming Shyness among the Gifted

(Abdulhamid A Alarfaj, Jwaher A Alamulhem and Abdullah M Aljugaiman)

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Abstract

This study attempts to identify the manifestations of extreme shyness among students, shed light on the effect of counselling interventions in reducing the level of non-positive shyness, and highlight behavioural indicators that may lead to improved social interaction. The study researchers utilised a systematic approach to study a female gifted student with a high level of shyness that prevents her from engaging in normal social interaction. The study participant is a gifted student designated gifted as indicated by the Mawhiba scale in 2019-2020, and she was deliberately chosen for the purpose of this four-week case study. Multiple resources and a special tool for data collection were used to analyse the output and ultimately suggest a package of consultancy solutions for this study. The study reveals that the thorough and extensive consultancy program makes a remarkable impact on the characteristics of the study participant and to the same degree on the family and school. In addition, a number of specific strategies were identified as successful means in attaining reduced self-consciousness while increasing confidence and social interaction skills. From a quantitative perspective, the study utilises Sternberg’s emotional intelligence index and a shyness scale, which led the researchers to better understand the study participant's emotional intelligence and lower her level of shyness and inhibition.

KEYWORDS
Mentorship programme, Saudi Arabia, giftedness scale, shyness scale, therapeutic intervention

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References

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