Social Intelligence

3.1 Thorndike's Original Concept (1920)

E. L. Thorndike first used the term social intelligence in 1920, defining it as "the ability to understand and manage men and women, boys and girls — to act wisely in human relations." He distinguished three kinds of intelligence:

1. Abstract intelligence: Ability to handle ideas and symbols
2. Mechanical intelligence: Ability to handle concrete objects
3. Social intelligence: Ability to understand and manage people

3.2 Later Developments

Nancy Cantor and John Kihlstrom (1987) reframed social intelligence as comprising two components:

• Social knowledge: Concepts and rules people use to make sense of social situations
• Social skills: Competencies used to enact social behaviour effectively

Karl Albrecht (2006) proposed the SPACE model of social intelligence:

• Situational awareness: Reading the room
• Presence: Impression conveyed to others
• Authenticity: Being genuine
• Clarity: Ability to communicate clearly
• Empathy: Feeling with others

Social intelligence differs from interpersonal intelligence (Gardner) in being more situationally grounded and less trait-based.

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