This literature review deals with the development of social skills in children at risk, based on a sociocognitive approach. According to current studies, families living in underprivileged environments are further exposed to certain parental practices that are detrimental to the child’s development. Hence, neglecting a child seems to lead to shortcomings in acquiring self-control, poor intellectual stimulation and deficiencies in the acquisition of various social skills. Furthermore, violence-triggered fear could result in increasing hostile attribution bias, so experiencing violent relationships could suggest that social relationships are based on coercion. This article concludes by making several recommendations.