Social intelligence: 4 characteristics of people with low emotional intelligence

psychology 4 Characteristics of people with low social intelligence

Most people have some level of social intelligence – although some have a lower level than others. American psychologist Edward Lee Thorndike was one of the first to use the term social intelligence in the 1920s to describe how successful, confident, and skilled a person is in interacting with those around him. About 80 years later, Daniel Goleman, also a psychologist and science journalist, wrote a book called “Social Intelligence,” which continues to shape public understanding of the term to this day.

While socially intelligent people usually don't stand out much when we interact with each other and we tend to find them cute and likeable, people with low social intelligence can stand out here and there, for example by the following characteristics.

Distortions that are typical of less socially intelligent people

1. Inattention

For many people with relatively low social intelligence, this is linked to a decreased interest in their fellow human beings – and a related inability to listen attentively. Those affected are usually above average self-centered, their thoughts and feelings mainly center around themselves, always looking at their cell phones or at the table next to them, being distracted, interrupting in inappropriate places to talk about themselves, or not having any questions or feedback on That being said, responding to what is said is typical behavior for someone who is a poor listener – and has only minimal social intelligence.

2. Impudence

Social intelligence enables us, among other things, to perceive non-verbal cues and sense the mood and feelings of those around us. Those with weak social skills usually find it difficult to do this. Those affected often do not notice when they talk too much or behave inappropriately in other ways. They joke at the wrong times and then get annoyed with others and lack a sense of humor when no one laughs – instead of being ashamed and holding themselves accountable.

3. Allergies

People with low social intelligence are often less aware that different people have different interests and points of view, and that, among other reasons, not everything always goes according to their expectations. If they can't get their way, they feel deprived, and if someone doesn't agree with them, they take it as a personal attack. Most socially intelligent people live with a basic feeling that others wish them harm and are more likely to treat them with hostility and competition rather than solidarity and humanity. For this reason, they tend to be suspicious and react very quickly emotionally.

4. Extremism

Although we as humans must draw boundaries and use categories to organize our thinking and imagination, we as a species are a good example of one of life's winning principles: diversity. As individuals, we differ not only in the color, size and smell of our hair, but also in what we like, how we express ourselves, what makes us cry and who we love – and tomorrow we may suddenly be different in all these ways even more than we are. The day before yesterday. We are diverse and changeable in so many ways that we constantly remind ourselves that our categories can only be dynamic entities without sharp boundaries and we are always ready to expand them.

People with low social intelligence generally do not see this diversity and changeability. They are usually very extreme in their judgments and adhere strictly to their categories. This is also one of the reasons why they have problems making compromises and truly caring for those around them.

Sources used: spektrum.de, soft-skills.com, blog-neuronation.com, hackspirit.com

Mite Expensive