Final answer:
Emotional intelligence is an example of one of Howard Gardner's eight identified intelligences, reflecting our varied capacities for understanding emotions and managing social interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
“Emotional intelligence” is an example of one of the intelligences we all possess, though perhaps not in equal measure. This form of intelligence includes the ability to understand the emotions of yourself and others, show empathy, and manage interpersonal relationships effectively. The concept of emotional intelligence is part of a broader theory known as Multiple Intelligences, which was developed by Howard Gardner. He identifies eight distinct intelligences: linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic intelligence.
These intelligences might be valued differently across cultures. For instance, in a culture where fishing and boat repair are essential for survival, someone who excels in these skills would be considered highly intelligent. Gardner's theory is appreciated by many educators because it suggests everyone can be smart in their own way. However, among cognitive psychologists, this theory has been criticized due to a lack of empirical evidence validating separate intelligences.
Intelligence is also dissected into different components by other theorists, such as Raymond Cattell, who divided general intelligence into crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence. Crystallized intelligence is the accumulation and retrieval of knowledge, whereas fluid intelligence involves problem-solving and the ability to understand complex relationships.