Intrapersonal intelligence: what is it and how can it be improved?

How can we improve our ability to better understand ourselves?

When we talk about the concept of intelligence, it is very easy to think about the intelligence needed to solve mathematical problems, repair an appliance or plan a strategy to follow in specific cases.

However, we can also consider that there is a type of mental abilities that are of a more private nature, difficult to externalize in a very conspicuous way. What has been called intrapersonal intelligence is a good example of this.

What is intrapersonal intelligence?

Intrapersonal intelligence is one of the types of intelligence proposed in Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The set of cognitive skills to which it gives expression is somewhat hazy and difficult to distinguish from other forms of intelligence, but in short it can be said that intrapersonal intelligence refers to the degree to which we know the internal aspects of our own way of thinking, feeling and acting..

In other words, it represents our ability to know ourselves and to intervene in our own psyche, in a broad sense.

How can we know ourselves?

According to the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, by recognizing the repertoire of feelings that define our own way of being (and the type of stimuli that can induce each of them), discriminating well between different states of mind and taking advantage of this knowledge to regulate our behavior towards specific goals. Thus, intrapersonal intelligence is what makes it possible for us to know the inner aspects of our mind and use this information to our advantage..

For example, knowing how to be especially sensitive in certain subjects can facilitate the task of coping with conflictive situations, which can be key to avoid losing control in these cases and, at the same time, work techniques to control the levels of anxiety, anger, etc.

Differentiating concepts

Intrapersonal intelligence can be easily confused with emotional intelligence, a theoretical construct on which several psychologists have worked and which does not stem from the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. It is true that both types of intelligence emphasize self-awareness and emotion regulation, but emotional intelligence is a broader concept. Thus, the difference between intrapersonal intelligence and emotional intelligence is basically that intrapersonal intelligence only accounts for some processes that could be compared to what is measured when studying the latter.

On the other hand, intrapersonal intelligence can also be confused with interpersonal intelligence, which is also framed in the theory proposed by Gardner. Interpersonal intelligence is related to our ability to relate to others and work optimally in a team, while intrapersonal intelligence is of a private nature. In other words, the former allows us to get to know others and interact with them in a useful and successful way, while the latter allows us to do the same with ourselves.

Both, however, could have many links with what is understood as emotional intelligence..

How to improve intrapersonal intelligence?

At this point, it is worth remembering that all forms of intelligence can be trained and improved over time as if it were a muscle.. However, it must be said that intrapersonal intelligence is insufficiently studied and that it is difficult to propose exact methods supported by science to improve it.

However, beyond the light that future scientific research may shed on this subject, I would recommend the following to see progress in the area of intrapersonal intelligence:

1. Give Mindfulness a try.

The Mindfulness has been shown to be helpful in increasing one's own emotion self-regulation skills, so it may be a good idea to start practicing it on a sustained basis. You can also try traditional forms of meditation.

Here are two links so that, if you wish, you can delve into these two interesting disciplines:

• "Benefits of meditation backed by science."

2. Ask yourself often what you are feeling.

Stopping to reflect on the feelings you experience regularly will help you recognize them when they appear and detect their patterns, regularities, etc. In this way, you will know what situations trigger these moods and you will become aware of how you usually act when you feel this way..

Mentally labeling these emotions with names or words in general is a good way to start.

3. Consider how you can direct this knowledge toward goals.

Knowing a lot about how we think and feel is of little feeling is of little use if we don't use this information to improve our quality of life.. Intrapersonal intelligence is also, in part, being able to predict some things about our own behavior. Therefore, you can create action plans to intervene in the way you feel, think and act.

An example would be hiding a chocolate bar because we know that when we enter periods of anxiety we tend to turn to food for relief.

4. Evaluate your progress

In order to make progress in self-knowledge, it is good to look back to see what works and what doesn't work.. Being critical of your own progress is also essential if you don't want to get an overly optimistic view of what you are doing.

These steps can help you to work better in dealing with your own person, but the last word is, of course, up to you. Each person is different, and the existence of intrapersonal intelligence is a reminder of that. No manual or self-help book will be able to give you all the pieces you need to understand how you function. That task is up to you.