Social Intelligence and Assertiveness as Predictors of Fear of Negative Evaluation among Esut Lecturers

Abstract

The study investigated social intelligence and assertiveness as predictors of fear of negative evaluation among ESUT lecturers, eighty  (80) lecturers comprising 49 males and 31 females with a mean age of 40.86 and SD 6.454 were selected using multi-stage (cluster, simple random: by balloting and purposive) sampling techniques as participants from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu. Watson and Friend (1969) Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE), Silvera et al. (2001) Tromso Social Intelligence Scale and Rathus, (1978) Assertiveness Scale were used for data collection, a correlational design was adopted, hierarchical multiple regression using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 27 was used for data analysis. Findings revealed that social skill dimension of social intelligence Stβ= .294 and t=3.563** at p<.001 negatively predicted fear of negative evaluation of ESUT lecturers, Social awareness dimension of social intelligence Stβ= -.385 and t= 4.775*** at p<.001 negatively predicted fear of negative evaluation of ESUT lecturers. Social awareness dimension of social intelligence Stβ= .095 and t=1.077 at p<.05 did not predict fear of negative evaluation. Assertive Stβ= 040 and t= .498 did not predict fear of negative evaluation at p< .05. Hence, Lecturers should perceive the lecturing process as an interactive one were both lecturers and the students learn from each other, this will help to reduce over expectations and fear of negative evaluation.