What is interpersonal intelligence?
According to the Theory of Multiple Intelligences proposed by Howard Gardner in 1983, personal intelligence is that which allows individuals to successfully manage their relationships with others. It involves quickly understanding your intentions, connecting with your desires, making distinctions and any other type of approach to social contact with other people.
Let us remember that Gardner’s theory distinguishes between the different types of analytical capacity of the human being. It explains your ability to successfully and easily face certain everyday situations, putting into practice a set of biological, cultural, historical and personal factors.
In this way, interpersonal intelligence is distinguished in its specific characteristics from other types of intelligence, such as linguistic-verbal, logical-mathematical, spatial or visual, musical, corporal-kinesthetic, naturalistic and intrapersonal. Thus, interpersonal intelligence occurs strongly in certain types of people, such as those we usually find in leadership positions, in politics, in the role of teachers, therapists or even religious figures.
Characteristics of interpersonal intelligence
Interpersonal intelligence is not necessarily verbal, that is, it does not always require the use of words, although this is the most effective and usual instrument of communication for human beings. It is about a certain ease in understanding and understanding the inner world of others, which involves certain levels of empathy.
Recognizing other people’s feelings, providing the appropriate response, leading groups or even discovering hidden intentions are part of the capabilities that this type of intelligence entails.
According to neurological studies in this regard, this type of intelligence resides in the frontal lobes of the brain. It often involves talents typical of our species, which values group cohesion, organization and solidarity, as a consequence of the need for group survival.
Individuals with this highly developed type of intelligence can guide others towards the identification and resolution of their problems, as well as towards efficient social decision-making.
Examples of interpersonal intelligence
Good examples of this type of intelligence are:
- Entrepreneurs, business leaders and other individuals who manage to inspire a group of workers to carry out organized work together.
- Social leaders, social workers, political actors and other people capable of serving as representatives of the will of others.
- Psychologists, therapeutic assistants, counselors and individuals in positions that involve understanding the deep dilemmas of others.