Currently, the concept of intelligence is broader and does not include only academic intelligence, oriented towards results in the educational field. The ability to relate and adequately understand the emotions of other people and show social skills is one of the intelligences defined by the psychologist Gardner. This interpersonal intelligence is related to our ability to function in society. If you want to know more about this intelligence, keep reading our Psychology-Online article: Interpersonal intelligence: what it is, examples and activities to improve it.
What is interpersonal intelligence? Interpersonal intelligence is a concept derived from the Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory. His theory supposes a paradigm shift in the conception of intelligence as a single factor towards a factor formed by multiple capacities or intelligences. Interpersonal intelligence, therefore, is one of the eight types of intelligences proposed by this psychologist.
Interpersonal intelligence: definition
Interpersonal intelligence is the intelligence that is related to the interactions that we establish and maintain with other people. Thus, the definition of interpersonal intelligence is that it is that ability to discover, understand and interpret the wishes and intentions of other people, allowing for effective social interactions. This intelligence allows a greater adaptation to the environment, as well as the development of satisfactory social relationships, since it favors the understanding of other people and communicating with them, taking into account their emotions, mood, motivations, intentions, etc. That is, taking into account their personal and individual characteristics, the idiosyncrasy of the person, to adapt and adjust our own behavior and speech in a consistent way with the other person.
Interpersonal Intelligence: Howard Gardner
Howard Gardner's interpersonal intelligence is related to the abilities of emotional intelligence, empathy, management of intersubjective relationships, conflict resolution Y communication skills. All these capacities are involved in interpersonal intelligence, since it is not enough only to understand people, but the skills to act accordingly are necessary.
Regarding the biological aspects of this intelligence, it is closely related to the frontal lobe of the brain of both hemispheres. This part of the brain controls the so-called executive functions of people, that is, human behavior, attention and planning. It is also related to the limbic system, an area closely linked to emotionality.
Below we list the characteristics of interpersonal intelligence:
- People with this developed intelligence are interested in the understanding of human reasons and motivations that exist behind the different behaviors and reactions. They are people who have a high capacity for analysis and critical thinking.
- Another characteristic of interpersonal intelligence is a good intuition in the social area. Observation and reflection about social relationships gives people an intuitive ability about people.
- Communication is closely linked to interpersonal intelligence, which is why people tend to be good communicators, with good control of speech and non-verbal language, managing to influence another person effectively.
- They can also be observed conflict mediation skills. Interpersonal intelligence allows us to understand in the most objective way possible the different points of view, the motivations and needs of others, so people often play the role of mediation in a satisfactory.
- People with interpersonal intelligence are capable of maintaining old relationships, since they take great care of relationships and detailsThey are sensitive to different needs and act on them, as well as being available to help if necessary.
- These people also have high listening ability, so they like to converse with other people attending to their points of view and trying to understand them. Is active listening It facilitates the knowledge of people and encourages acting in a coherent way with them in the future.
- They enjoy collaborative and social projects, since they feel interested in human and societal aspects, as well as by the intercultural and individual differences of the people. They also show ease to relate to people of different ages, being able to produce an adjustment in their behavior when interacting with them.
- Ability to establish new social relationships, given the orientation towards people and ease of developing social ties healthy and satisfying.
- These people are comfortable in the organization and coordination of teams of peopleIn addition, the rest usually trust their ability.
- They have flexibility to adopt different roles in groups as well as in situations as required, as they quickly detect needs and have the ability to adapt to them.
Intrapersonal intelligence: professions
Professions such as psychology, political and social leadership, teaching, commercial etc.
Here are some examples of interpersonal intelligence:
- An example would be a person who usually works in a group in a company, each time made up of different people. According to the work objectives and the different profiles that make up the team, this person analyzes the needs of the team, the present roles and the Necessary roles, based on this it adopts one or another role, for example of stimulation, coordination, conciliation, etc., to achieve more effective. People with interpersonal intelligence do not always adopt the role of leader, as is erroneously believed, although they are able to assume it satisfactorily. These people are characterized more by their flexibility capacity regarding the adoption of roles as it is most convenient.
- Another example would be a person who, despite the fact that her friend does not explicitly tell her that she is sad, is able to read their emotions and act on them. Therefore, that day he will be more aware of her, he will not make jokes that may be heavy and he will take care of her.
Interpersonal intelligence: characters
Some examples of famous people who stand out for their interpersonal intelligence would be Martin Luther King and Concepción Arenal.
- Martin Luther King He was an activist for the civil rights of African Americans of the 20th century. His ability to understand their own needs and those of others of the African American population was crucial in spreading nationwide awareness of the civil rights movement. Furthermore, he possessed excellent communication skills, which is why he is considered one of the great speakers in history. These capabilities defined him as a social leader who inspired great changes in society.
- Concepción Arenal she was a 19th century Spanish writer and rights defender. She was a great activist who cared and fought for the improvement of the situation of prisoners in jail, for the rights of women in society, for the right working conditions and decent housing for the working class, as well as for the end of slavery in the colonies Spanish. The thought of her and her struggle was of great influence And today her legacy still lives on.
Both intelligences are part of Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Both are of a social nature and are related to emotions. However, they encompass different capabilities and goals. What are the differences between interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence? The Interpersonal intelligence refers to social abilities and skills for interactions with other people. Instead, the Intrapersonal intelligence refers to the capacities and abilities that are possessed to relate to yourself. Therefore, interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand other people and act accordingly. coherent way, while intrapersonal intelligence is the ability to understand and listen to one same, know your own strengths and weaknesses and act in consequence of this self-knowledge. Both intelligences are necessary and important for a quality and more satisfying emotional life.
Interpersonal intelligence is of vital importance for the construction and maintenance of social ties, as well as to function competently in society. Therefore, it is important to stimulate this intelligence on a day-to-day basis, but How to develop interpersonal intelligence? Here we explain a series of activities to develop interpersonal intelligence:
- Listen actively: It is the first step to better understand people, listening does not only mean listening to the other person. It is an exercise of attention in which we listen to what the other person tells us and how, without judging, and creating a safe and trustworthy communication space. It is important not to interrupt, not to try to impose your own point of view or speak from our personal experience, "simply" you have to listen to what the other person wants to convey to us.
- Make use of empathy: try to understand people when they are explaining something to you, put yourself in their shoes. This means that you try to understand their point of view taking into account the personality of the other person, their personal experiences and their way of thinking, without involving your characteristics personal. Make an effort to get away from yourself a little and try to get closer to the other from the position and experience of it. To start practicing this exercise you can do it at the beginning with people close to your environment and who you know well, which will facilitate the understanding of their point of view given the previous knowledge you have about they. You will find more information in the following article: How to practice empathy in my life.
- Look at the non-verbal language: do not pay attention only to what people say to you, also how they express it: the tone of voice, the gestures or movements, the emphasis, etc. The nonverbal language can help you perceive the mood and emotions of the other person, making it easier for you to you can develop a behavior that adjusts to the emotional state of the other person in a anticipated.
- Give and receive feedback: refers to the exchange of information on different events. This exchange of ideas and opinions without feeling or generating discomfort in the other person encourages the understanding of events and different points of view. That is why it is important to regularly ask people's opinions, instead of taking it for granted and anticipating it, as well as being able to express your own in a healthy way.
- Work in team: cooperative activities are of great help to develop interpersonal intelligence. In them the conflict resolution, empathy, coordination and social skills. By cooperating, the different work styles are observed and an attempt is made to generate a group dynamic that adapts to all the people who are part of it according to their characteristics and strengths. To do this, you can practice team sports or group activities.
- Connect with a diversity of people: in the development of this intelligence it is important to interact with diverse people, to learn and know other points of view and expand one's own. It is necessary to maintain a flexible and open attitude, of concern for the other person. It is important to maintain a learning disposition and to value. Even if you don't always have the best experiences with other people, a good exercise is to reflect on what you have learned from them.
- Volunteer: It is important to leave the comfort zone and your usual circle for the development and learning of interpersonal skills. Volunteering will allow you to be aware and understand other needs different from yours that perhaps you had never considered, as well as will test your skills in handling these situations.
- Read, watch movies: Reading books and watching movies are very good exercises to understand the different points of view of the characters, their needs, their motivations, etc. They can help you understand the existence of other points of view and help in the practice of empathy with other people.
- Performs theater: practicing theater is an excellent way to put yourself completely in the shoes of another character, and not only that, but to act and behave based on the emotions you feel in fiction, even though you do not identify with they. In addition, the theater practice is carried out with more people so it also helps in the development of social skills.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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