Levels of Social Intelligence Vis-à-Vis Interface of Social-Media Usage: An Exploratory Study
Levels of Social Intelligence Vis-à-Vis Interface of Social-Media Usage: An Exploratory Study
Levels of Social Intelligence Vis-à-Vis Interface of Social-Media Usage: An Exploratory Study
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Abstract:- The present study explored social media usage Integrating social media and social networking sites
in the context ofuniversity students' social intelligence into language learning programs reflected a positive
levels. The study involved a sample of 208 students who correlation between the users and their writing skills (Al-
were further divided based on their levels of social Shehri, 2011). They also reflect a developed socio-pragmatic
intelligence. The data was gathered from students competence (Chen, 2013). Using social media in learning
usingsocial media for over five years. The findings were helps engage in peer feedback and assessment activities
analyzed, and interpretations were drawn. Finally, (McCarthy, 2010).It was further found that students could
suggestions were made based on the results. share or even design interactive multimedia resources
themselves (Kern et al., 2008). Social media users could
Keywords:- Interpersonal intelligence, social-media usage, subscribe to a visible forum to access learning resources in
social networking sites, online learning. different modalities. This helped them reach out to other
users to discuss their learning problems or the content of a
I. INTRODUCTION new lesson (Horwitz,2008). The social media and social
Social networking has changed the way to networking sites were found to help supplement a traditional
communicate with each other daily. The Social life of the classroom, and students were found to be achieving learning
average individual has changed in the last few decades outcomes with their help (Naghdipour & Eldrige, 2016).
because of online connections with friends, relatives or There have been some downsidesto using social media
family. Thestudents use social media to make connections among students also. A problematic social media use has
with their friends and as well as with their family members. been a matter of concern for many of late. Not every user
Social relationsemploying social media have become has positive outcomes. A small portion of the population
simple, easier and frequent. This can be said not only for reports addiction-like symptoms, become problematic users,
personal communication butalso the social connectivity and and experienced detrimental effects from it
interface are changing in professional and academic (Hawi&Samaha , 2017).
communications. Social media is popular among the young
III. SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE, SOCIAL MEDIA
generations and widely used by students. University students
AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
are a sizable percentage of the population using social media
frequently.The social media currently plays a crucial role in A study found that university students, both men and
the field of education (Griffin &Zinskie, 2021). This has women, had good levels of interpersonal intelligence
increased more so ever post-COVID-19 scenario. (Sundarrajan & Gopisundaran, 2018). Individuals with high
interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence were found to
II. SOCIAL MEDIA, LEARNING AND experience reduced levels of social media stress (Sundvik &
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS Davis). Intrapersonal Intelligence is one factor that predicts
The social media and social networking sites help key learning outcomes in higher education, including the
users befriend others, communicate and share information students’ GPA, generic outcomes, and satisfaction with the
with a global audience, pass their free time, manage their university experience (Zohc et al., 2020).
social life, and enhance their networking skills (Madge et Emotional Intelligence encompasses both intrapersonal
al., 2009). Social networking sitespresent teachers and the intelligence as well as interpersonal intelligence. Individuals
new generation of students with huge opportunities for
with lower interpersonal Intelligence experience health,
synchronous and asynchronous learning (Jee, 2011). These
psychological, and behavioural problems more frequently
social networking sites are also user-friendly and helpful in
than those with higher interpersonal intelligence (Austin et
forming collaborations and exchanging ideas and
al., 2005). The same was true about problematic social
information (Stanley, 2013). Social media and social
media usage also. Higher intrapersonal and inter personal
networking sites can help students bond with their peers
intelligence predicted lesser problematic social media usage
(Godwin-Jones, 2010) and reshape or redefine their
(Süral et al., 2019). In a similar study, social intelligence
relationships with their teachers. was found to be negatively related to internet addiction,
psychological distress and peer victimisation(Hsieh et al.,
2019).
79.33%
HIGH
AVERAGE
LOW
9.62%
11.05%
Fig. 1: Pie-chart for Percentage of levels of Social Intelligence of university students
60
50 49.09
50 47.83
PERCENTAGE
40
30 30.9
30 26.09
20 15
13.04 12.73 13.04
10 7.27
5
0
Less than 1-hour 1-2 hours 3-5 hours More than 5 hours
Fig. 2: Comparative bar diagram for time spent on social media by students
C. Frequency ina day for checking social-media accounts checking their social-media account throughout the day as in
by students Figure 3.
Students with low, average and high social intelligence
reported to mostly have a frequency of regular interval for
60 55
52.17
50
41.21
PERCENTAGE
40 35 34.79 33.3
30 25.45
20
13.04
10
10
0
Every hour At regular interval during Once in a day
the day
Fig. 3: Comparative bar diagram for habit of checking social media by students
80 70 69.56
PERCENTAGE
60 49.7
40 33.9
20 21.73
16.96
20 10 8.69
0
2 to 5 5 to 8 More than 8
Fig. 4: Comparative bar diagram for number of social media accounts of students
E. Primary reason for using social media by students using social media for networking and high social
Students with low social intelligence reported mostly intelligence students reported mostly using social media for
using social media for academic purposes and sharing academic purposes, as shown in Figure 5.
equally; average social intelligence students reported mostly
100
85.45 82.6 85
80 80
74.54 75
80
73.91 78.1882.6
80
PERCENTAGE
60.87
60
40
20 10 12.728.69
0
Networking Sharing Socializing Research Academic
HIGH AVERAGE
Fig. 5: Comparative bar diagram for the primary reason for using social media by students
100 90 86.95
76.36 80 78.26
80 70 73.91
PERCENTAGE
60 53.93
42.27 43.03
40
15 17.39
20 10 11.528.7
0
During free While at While During social While eating
time work/class commuting occasions food
100 90 86.06
79.39 82.6
PERCENTAGE
80 65 69.57 70 69.57
52.72 55 55.76 56.52
60
40
20
0
First time in the Any time in a day During evening Before I go to sleep
morning
Fig. 7: Comparative bar diagram for using social media for educational purposes
H. Social media platform used most by students platform, followed by Facebook and YouTube,as shown in
Students with low, average and high social intelligence figure 8.
mostly reported WhatsApp as their preferred social media
100 91.52
85 82.6
80 70 73.91
69.57
PERCENTAGE
61.82 65
59.39
60
45
38.79
40 34.78
26.06
21.74
15 13.04
20 1012.73
0
Facebook YouTube Instagram WhatsApp Twitter Tick-Tock
HIGH AVERAGE
Fig. 8: Comparative bar diagram for social media platform used most by students
I. Most interesting aspect of using social media for students social intelligence reported finding instant messaging and
Students with average and high social intelligence learning new things equally to be the most interesting aspect
reported mostly to find learning new things to be the most of social media,as displayed in Figure 9.
interesting aspect of social media, while students with low
100
80 78.26 85
78.26
PERCENTAGE
80 66.06 70.03
65 62.22 63.03
60 55
47.88 47.83 45 47.82
36.97
40
20 13.04
20 14.5413.04 1012.73
0
Instant Photo sharing Video Blogging learning new Meeting new Online
messaging sharing things people Gaming
Fig. 9: Comparative bar diagram for the most interesting aspect of using social media
100 90 85.45
82.6 80 80.6 78.26
PERCENTAGE
80
55 56.52
60
40 27.87
20 16.36 17.39 15 11.5117.39
20
0
Instant Text message/ E-mail Facetime / Video Voice call
messaging SMS call
K. Communication platforms used by students while sharing while students with average and low Social Intelligence
News reported to mostly prefer voice call to communicate news as
Students with high social intelligence reported mostly to shown in Figure 11.
be preferred instant messaging for communicating news
100 85
78.26 80 82.6
74.54
PERCENTAGE
80
59.39
60
40 35
20 30 24.85 30.43 26.09
20 13.94 13.04 13.3
0
Instant messaging Text message/ E-mail Facetime / Video Voice call
SMS call
Fig. 11: Comparative bar diagram for communication used by students while sharing news