What Is Intrapersonal Intelligence And How Does It Help Us?

Immersing oneself in one’s interiority, navigating in the depths of one’s thoughts or in a placid introspection are the characteristics of this ability that Howard Gardner has defined as “intrapersonal intelligence”. This ability of self-reflection and metacognition allows us to live in harmony with ourselves.

Having a precise, correct and real image of yourself is not easy. It is a task that requires above all the full awareness of one’s moods, a correspondence between self-esteem, discipline and self-motivation, together with the ability to solve problems in harmony with one’s inner self.

On the other hand, it must be said that intrapersonal intelligence is part of the revolutionary theory of multiple intelligences that Howard Gardner exposed in the 1980s in his book  Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences . His approach, as you can imagine, has sparked conflicting views both in academia and among educational professionals, such as pedagogues, professors and teachers.

His goal was to question the unique intelligence paradigm and related limited and standardized evidence to propose several possible alternatives regarding intelligence. According to Gardner, people need skills that fit the way they learn things, interact and carry out thought processes.

Although many psychologists and scientists, such as Robert J. Sternberg, believe that there is no evidence to demonstrate Gardner’s approach and that what he defines as intelligences are in fact “attitudes” or “skills”, we cannot underestimate the positive impact of his theory regarding the improvement of human potential, considering learning as a choreography of dimensions to work on every day.

Intrapersonal intelligence is the seventh of nine intelligences identified by the expert and is undoubtedly one of the most important.

Intrapersonal intelligence or the ability to look within

We could give many examples of people who have shown great potential in this dimension that Gardner defined as intrapersonal intelligence. Virginia Woolf, for example, through her essay  A Sketch of the Past , offers a complete testimony of immersion in her own being in which she clarifies present thoughts and sensations in relation to her past.

Another example of stark introspection is Kafka’s Metamorphosis , where Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, awakens under the guise of an insect. Even Albert Einstein himself worked a lot on his intrapersonal intelligence without knowing it. He was fond of long walks that allowed him to explore his thoughts, to connect with himself and with his mathematical theories, with the cosmos and the way the universe works.

With these examples we can conclude that this ability, almost a magical creation of thought, is an innate ability of writers, poets or scientists. This happens for very simple reasons that many of us, without being poets or engineers, can identify with: independent people, who enjoy their solitude, who are creative and who demonstrate significant personal autonomy.

Let’s now see what are the main characteristics that define intrapersonal intelligence.

What is a person with intrapersonal intelligence like?

Let’s take a very simple example. Marco is 17 and has just returned home from school. It wasn’t a good day. He doesn’t say hello to anyone and locks himself in his room after slamming the door. He starts playing with the XBox and then starts posting aggressive social posts, saying he hates the world and all the people who live there.

This teenager needs adequate tools with which to build a balanced intrapersonal intelligence and, therefore, be able to manage his emotions, to self-regulate and also to acquire a good ethical conscience.

In this sense we could summarize the characteristics of intelligence:

• Those with it are skilled in self-regulation and metacognition.
• Introspection is another essential feature, the deliberate act of looking inward to better understand one’s feelings and thoughts.
• The ability to manage one’s emotions.
• People with intrapersonal intelligence know how to use moments of solitude to connect with themselves.
• They are assertive people, they know how to express their emotions and needs aloud in full respect of others.

• They have good self-discipline and good self-control.
• They have good self-esteem.
• They are aware of their limitations and their knowledge.
• They analyze their actions, assessing their impact and learning from their mistakes.
• These people are connected to the present, the here and now.

We can improve our intrapersonal intelligence

Intrapersonal intelligence can be basically summed up in the ability to see with realism and objectivity how we are and what we want. A dimension so simple that we don’t always develop effectively and realistically. Often we do nothing but survive with a surrogate of intrapersonal intelligence, convinced that we are in total harmony with our emotions, needs and thoughts.

Although this type of intelligence should be integrated in school, it must be said that there is always time to enhance it, to improve from a personal and emotional point of view. Below, we invite you to reflect on some simple strategies.

It should be remembered that intrapersonal intelligence, unlike the others identified by Gardner, is visible only through gestures and behaviors. It is, therefore, an inner creation that first of all requires a deep understanding of oneself.

Here are some mechanisms to get to know yourself:

• Keep a diary, write down your thoughts, write down feelings and memories. Learn them in detail.
• Practicing meditation, going out for a walk, running. These are all wonderful ways to connect with your being.
• Always maintain a reflective attitude, not just reactive.

• Being critical of ourselves, self-evaluating.
• Learn to think better: organize your ideas, make concept maps, make implicit things explicit, compare, criticize, plan, analyze.
• Observe what is around you, connect with your surroundings with the senses and pay attention to how we feel or what what we see offers us.
• Enhance your creativity.
• Better manage your emotions, give them a name, channel them, explore them.

In conclusion, whether or not we are in favor of Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, there is one aspect that we cannot overlook: these dimensions represent a door to develop adequate skills, to give us the opportunity to live life more competently, more happy and more in harmony with ourselves. Intrapersonal intelligence is undoubtedly one of the most valuable resources available to us.

Bibliographical references:

• Gardner, Howard (2005). Education and development of the mind. Multiple intelligences and learning . Trento: Erickson.
• Gardner Howard (1997)  Extraordinary minds.  New York: Basic Books.
• Gardner, Howard (1998). “A Reply to Perry D. Klein’s’ Multiplying the problems of intelligence by eight”  Canadian Journal of Education  23 (1): 96-102.

Images courtesy of Lucy Campbell