Introduction: Adolescence is a stage in the life cycle where social abilities are a crucial factor in social adjustment. Prosocial behaviour contributes to the development of self-esteem and psychological well-being. Method: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare social abilities in adolescents of low and high socioeconomic status, from Tucuman, Argentina and to determine whether the social skills that contribute to socialization or the ones that inhibit it prevail. The sample was constituted by 283 11 and 12-year-old adolescents who attend school. A descriptive explanatory study with purposive sampling was carried out. The Socialization Battery BAS-3 and a sociodemographic survey were used. Results: The participants' social abilities were analysed according to their socioeconomic status--low or high- and by sex. Discussion and conclusion: Significant differences in the prevalence of social skills which contribute to socialization were found in the groups studied. (Contains 5 tables and 1 footnote.)