Currently, the concept of intelligence is broader and does not only include academic intelligence, oriented towards results in the educational field. The ability to relate to and adequately understand other people’s emotions and show social skills is one of the intelligences defined by psychologist Gardner. This interpersonal intelligence is related to our ability to function in society.
If you want to know more about this intelligence, continue reading this 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 Howard Gardner’s. His theory represented a paradigm shift in the conception of intelligence as a single factor towards a factor made up of multiple abilities or intelligences. Interpersonal intelligence, therefore, is one of the eight types of intelligence that this psychologist proposes.
We could define interpersonal intelligence as the ability to discover, understand and interpret the desires and intentions of other people, allowing for effective social interactions. This intelligence allows for greater adaptation to the environment, as well as the development of satisfactory social relationships, since it promotes understanding and communication with other people, taking into account their emotions, mood, motivations, intentions, etc.
Interpersonal intelligence according to Howard Gardner
Howard Gardner’s interpersonal intelligence is related to emotional intelligence capabilities, empathy, management of intersubjective relationships, conflict resolution and communication skills. All of these capabilities are involved in interpersonal intelligence, since it is not enough to simply 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 , an area closely linked to emotionality.
Characteristics of interpersonal intelligence
Below we list the characteristics of interpersonal intelligence:
- People with this developed intelligence are interested in understanding of human reasons and motivations that exist behind 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 communicatorswith 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, motivations and needs of others, which is why people usually play the role of mediation satisfactorily.
- People with interpersonal intelligence are able to maintain old relationships, since They take great care of relationships and detailsare sensitive to different needs and act based on these, as well as being available to help if necessary.
- These people also have high listening ability, so they like to talk with other people, taking into account their points of view and trying to understand them. This facilitates knowledge of people and encourages acting consistently with them in the future.
- They enjoy collaborative and social projects, since they feel interested in human and societal aspectsas well as the intercultural and individual differences of people. They also present ease in relating 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 feel comfortable in the organization and coordination of teams of peopleFurthermore, the rest usually trust their ability.
- They have flexibility to adopt different roles in groups as well as in situations as required, since they quickly detect needs and have the ability to adapt to them.
Examples of interpersonal intelligence
An example interpersonal intelligence I 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 he adopts one or another role, for example stimulation, coordination, conciliation, etc., to achieve more effective results. People with interpersonal intelligence do not always adopt the role of leader, as is mistakenly believed, although they are capable of assuming it satisfactorily. These people are characterized more by their flexibility capacity regarding the adoption of roles as is most convenient.
Another example would be a person who, even though his friend does not explicitly tell him that she is sad, is able to read your emotions and act on them. Therefore, that day he will be more aware of her, he will not make jokes that may be annoying and he will take care of her.
Characters with interpersonal intelligence
Some examples of famous people who stand out for their interpersonal intelligence would be Martin Luther King and Concepción Arenal.
- Martin Luther King was a 20th century African-American civil rights activist. His ability to understand one’s own needs and those of others of the African-American population was crucial in spreading awareness of the civil rights movement throughout the country. Furthermore, he had excellent communication skills, which is why he is considered one of the great speakers in history. These abilities defined him as a social leader who inspired great changes in society.
- Concepcion Arenal She was a Spanish writer and rights defender of the 19th century. She was a great activist who worried and fought for the improvement of the situation of people imprisoned in prison, for the rights of women in society, for the right to decent working and housing conditions for the working class, as well as for the end of slavery in the Spanish colonies. His thoughts and struggle were of great influence. and, today, his legacy is still valid.
Differences between interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence
Both intelligences are part of Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Both are social and are related to emotions. However, they encompass different capabilities and objectives.
Interpersonal intelligence refers to the social abilities and skills to interact with other people. On the other hand, intrapersonal intelligence refers to the abilities and skills to relate to oneself.
Therefore, interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand other people and act consistently, while intrapersonal intelligence is the ability to understand and listen to yourself, and act accordingly. Both intelligences are necessary and important for a quality and more satisfying emotional life.
Activities to develop interpersonal intelligence
Interpersonal intelligence is of vital importance for the construction and maintenance of social ties, as well as for functioning competently in society. Therefore, it is important to stimulate this intelligence on a daily basis, but how to develop interpersonal intelligence? Below we explain a series of activities to develop interpersonal intelligence:
Listen actively
This is the first step to understand people better, listening does not only imply hearing 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 trusting space for communication. It is important not to interrupt, not to try to impose one’s own point of view or speak from our personal experience, we “simply” 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 other person’s personality, their personal experiences and their way of thinking, without involving your personal characteristics. Make an effort to distance yourself a little from yourself and try to get closer to the other person from their position and experience.
To start practicing this exercise, you can do it at first with people who are close to you and who you know well, which will make it easier to understand their point of view given the prior knowledge you have about them. You will find more information in the following article: .
Observe non-verbal language
Don’t just pay attention to what people tell you, but also how they express it: tone of voice, gestures or movements, emphasis, etc. It can help you perceive the other person’s mood and emotions, making it easier for you to develop behavior that adjusts to the other person’s emotional state in advance.
Give and receive feedback
This point refers to the exchange of information about different events. This exchange of ideas and opinions without feeling or generating discomfort in the other person promotes understanding of events and different points of view. That is why it is important to regularly ask people for their opinion, instead of taking it for granted and getting ahead of 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, empathy, coordination and social skills are put into practice. By cooperating, 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 variety of people
In the development of this intelligence it is important to interact with diverse people, to learn and understand other points of view and expand the…