Social Shapes Test
What is it and how does it work?
Developed by Purdue University with support from the National Science Foundation, the tool suite facilitates the ability of students to rate their own collaboration skills as well as those of their peers in group projects via the survey (Loughry, Ohland, & Moore, 2007; Ohland et al., 2012). All Peer Evaluation surveys include ratings on the following attributes: Contributing to the Team’s Work, Interacting with Teammates, Keeping the Team on Track, Expecting Quality, and Having Relevant KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities). There are including team satisfaction, interdependence, conflict, cohesiveness, peer influences, and psychological safety that can be selected by the instructor/facilitator as appropriate.
Surveys may be administered multiple times in a semester to collect longitudinal peer evaluation data. Instructors can configure the survey to release results to students for feedback purposes.
Which skill(s) are targeted?
The Peer Evaluation survey can be used to collect students' self-report ratings of their own collaboration skills as well as those of their peers:
- Participate in constructive dialogue to support both the process and product of the collaboration
- Shape teams and navigate collaborations in consideration of individual differences and interpersonal dynamics
- Apply skills and processes to resolve and manage disagreements in collaborative settings
- Participate constructively in planning, leading and improving meetings
- Plan, organize, and deliver coordinated work targeted to a project goal
Who else has used it?
- Dietrich College General Education Program
- College of Engineering Senior Design Courses
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Reference: Brown, M. I., Ratajska, A., Hughes, S. L., Fishman, J. B., Huerta, E., & Chabris, C. F. (2019). The social shapes test: A new measure of social intelligence, mentalizing, and theory of mind. Personality and Individual Differences, 143, 107-117.
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Educator time commitment
Approximately 15 minutes
Student time commitment
Approximately 10 minutes
Contact eberly-assist@andrew.cmu.edu for help with incorporating this resource.
Educator how-to steps
- Decide when students should complete the Social Shapes Test and then include this in the corresponding assignments/instructions to students.
- Set up the assignment in Canvas (or as you normally would). NOTE: We have a Canvas assignment shell with the Social Shapes Test including the animations that you can copy to your Canvas course. Contact eberly-assist@andrew.cmu.edu to ask for help with this.
References
Brown, M. I., Heck, P. R., & Chabris, C. F. (2024). The social shapes test as a self-administered, online measure of social intelligence: Two studies with typically developing adults and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54(5), 1804-1819
Brown, M. I., Ratajska, A., Hughes, S. L., Fishman, J. B., Huerta, E., & Chabris, C. F. (2019). The social shapes test: A new measure of social intelligence, mentalizing, and theory of mind. Personality and Individual Differences, 143, 107-117.
Marlowe, H. A. (1986). Social intelligence: Evidence for multidimensionality and construct independence. Journal of educational psychology, 78(1), 52.