The influence of social skills training on motivation and educational progress of female high school students of Tehran

The present study aims at investigating the influence of social skills training on motivation and educational progress of high school students of Tehran. Among all second grade high school female students of Tehran (DISTRICT 18) studying in the academic year of 2014-2015, 30 students were randomly selected and classified into two groups of experimental and control through quasi-experimental methodology and pre- and posttests. First, the progress motivation questionnaire of Hermess was run on two groups, and the average of their first semester was identified. Then, the program of social skills training was administered on the experimental group through 8 one-hour sessions while the control group received no training program. Finally, the progress motivation questionnaire of Hermess was readministered and the average of the second semester was identified and compared. In order to analyze the data, we made use of Covariance Analysis (ANCOVA). As indicated by the results of the study, motivation and educational progress were high among experimental group receiving social skills training compared to the control group. The results of the present study can be applied for improving educational progress and motivation of students. All educational activities aiming at improving the progress motivation and educational progress of the students can be significantly increased through social skills training.