Being Smart in More Ways than One
Everyone knows the importance of intelligence in this world – we need to be intelligent in order to perform well academically, to pass examinations, to obtain entrance in good universities and colleges, and eventually to obtain employment in a job with an organization that utilizes our skills and abilities to their utmost.
Traditionally, intelligence has been defined by intellectual capabilities, with IQ tests used to measure one’s intellect by asking test-takers to perform verbal and spatial intelligence tests, and giving one a number based on one’s performance on that particular day. There are even societies such as Mensa which practice intelligence elitism – you can only be a member if your IQ is of genius standards: you must score in the top 2% of an IQ test to be admitted to this club!
However, educational psychologists have not restricted themselves to this narrow definition of intelligence. One of the most exciting movements in the 20th century as far as intelligence and psychology is concerned is the development of the theory of Emotional Intelligence – the concept that it isn’t intellectual intelligence, but emotional intelligence that is the most probably marker of success in the world.
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