There are more options to raise Social Stats than just trying the Mega Beef Bowl Challenge every rainy day in Persona 4 Golden.
Social Stats are used to make unique dialogue options or unlock specific social links in Persona 4 Golden. This is also the first game to introduce a total of five social links, each updated in its own unique way. For those wanting to see all the possible social links in Persona 4, upgrading your social stats is vital.
For the most part, leveling up your social stats will require time investments across multiple days to level up the stat. Over the course of your year in Inaba, there will be a lot of free time in the afternoons and evenings, allowing you more than enough time to max out all of your social stats and the following social links.
Knowledge
Leveling up your Knowledge is crucial for getting good grades on your exams. Even if you get all of the correct answers, your knowledge level will decide where you place on your class ranking. If you rank high in your class ranking, Dojima will reward you after each exam.
You can get Knowledge by:
- Studying. Whenever you’re home, the desk in the corner of your room can be interacted with to study for the rest of the night. You can also study in the school’s library, located on the second floor. The book ‘Expert Study Methods’ can be read to increase how much Knowledge is gained in each study session.
- Reading books that boost your Knowledge. You can purchase books from the bookstore and later read them on your room’s couch.
- Answering questions correctly in class. Every few days, you will be called on to answer a question in class; answering correctly will boost your Knowledge.
- Eating ramen at Aiya’s. Failing to complete the beef bowl challenge will increase three of the four required social stats, with there being a chance to increase Knowledge.
Diligence
Diligence is mainly used to unlock new social links, but it also will make you more money each night you work the Diligence-based jobs.
You can get Diligence by:
- Folding Envelopes or working at the pub as part-time jobs. Both of these part-time jobs will increase your Diligence, along with paying more for each level of Diligence.
- Reading books that increase your Diligence. Books can be purchased from the bookstore and read at home on the couch in your room.
- Attending sports club practices. Joining a sports club, either basketball or soccer, will allow you to attend practice and increase your Diligence with each practice.
- Eating at Aiya’s. Failing to complete the beef bowl challenge will increase three of the four required social stats, with a chance to increase Diligence.
- Hanging out with the stray cat. At night, you can sneak out when Dojima is not there and hang out with the stray cat, which will increase your Diligence. You’ll first need to complete the side quest of the man outside the bookstore, and the cat can be found at night by the Dojima residence after that.
Courage
Courage is used to unlock different social stats while also allowing you to select unique gutsy dialogue options.
You can get Courage by:
- Working at the hospital. Working part-time at the hospital will increase your Courage but pay scales off of your Diligence.
- Reading books increase your Courage. Books can be purchased from the bookstore and read at home on the couch in your room.
- Eat rotten food in the fridge. Occasionally rotten food will appear in the refrigerator if you check it at night; eating the bad food will end your night and increase your Courage.
- Riding your scooter far. When you first get the scooter, you can take far rides, which will take time and increase your Courage, along with unlocking a new location to travel to after three trips.
- Eating at Aiya’s. Failing to complete the beef bowl challenge will increase three of the four required social stats, with a chance to increase Courage.
Expression
Expression is mainly used to begin or progress to higher ranks with Dojima and Nanoko’s social links.
You can get Expression by:
- Working part-time jobs. Working as a translator or tutor will increase your Expression, with the translator job paying more with each additional level.
- Reading books that increase your Expression. Books can be purchased from the bookstore and read at home on the couch in your room.
- Answering correctly in class. Certain questions in class will increase your Expression if you answer them correctly.
- Joining the cultural club. Joining the cultural club will begin the Sun social link and increase your Expression with each club session you attend.
Understanding
Understanding is used to begin and progress social links, also giving you access to unique dialogue options if you have the correct level.
You can get Understanding by:
- Folding Origami. This is a part-time job but does not receive any pay, and it can be done at home and will increase your Understanding with each session.
- Reading books that increase your Understanding. Books can be purchased from the bookstore and read at home on the couch in your room.
- Eating at Aiya’s. Failing to complete the beef bowl challenge will increase three of the four required social stats, with there being a chance to increase Understanding.
- Hanging out with the stray cat. At night, you can sneak out when Dojima is not there and hang out with the stray cat, which will increase your Understanding. The cat will mainly increase your Diligence, but occasionally your Understanding also. You’ll first need to complete the side quest of the man outside the bookstore, and the cat can be found at night by the Dojima residence after that.
