How to Measure Your Social Intelligence

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While general intelligence has been widely studied by psychologists for well over a century, there has been relatively little attention paid to social intelligence. In 1920, psychologist Edward Thorndike defined social intelligence as “the ability to understand and manage [people]…and to act wisely in human relations.”

What is social intelligence and how is it different from IQ and emotional intelligence?

All forms of intelligence, whether it is general (often referred to as “verbal” or “academic”) intelligence or emotional intelligence, make up human “multiple intelligences.” While general intelligence—what is measured via an “intelligence quotient,” or IQ—is a person’s ability to think and use mental reasoning, emotional intelligence is understanding emotions, being able to enact and “read” others’ emotional messages, and regulating felt emotions.

Social intelligence, on the other hand, is our understanding of social situations, and our ability to behave effectively as social beings. Synonyms for social intelligence would include social competence, social skill, or being tactful in social situations. Of the various forms of intelligence, social intelligence is the one that is developed primarily through interactions with others and learning to master our social environment.

What are the indicators that someone is socially intelligent?

First and foremost, socially intelligent individuals are good at expressing themselves verbally. They are good speakers and skilled conversationalists. They are also astute: good listeners and able to “read” different social situations.

They possess what is called “savoir-faire”—knowing how to behave, and perform appropriately, in a variety of social situations (Riggio, Eaton, & Funder, 2020). Persons with high levels of social intelligence tend to have larger social networks of friends and acquaintances; they make good salespersons and are often in positions of leadership.

Socially intelligent individuals tend to also make better first impressions of others (Riggio, 1986).

How to Assess Social Intelligence

Although we may observe people who seemingly have social intelligence—they are good “people persons” and they are effective in social interactions—the measurement of social intelligence has relied mainly on self-report measures. Here are examples of some items that assess elements of social intelligence. Agreement with these items suggests higher levels of social intelligence.

• When in discussions, I find myself doing a large share of the talking.
• I usually take the initiative to introduce myself to strangers.
• At parties, I enjoy speaking to a great number of people.

These items tap into the social expressiveness dimension of social intelligence.

• While growing up, my parents were always stressing the importance of good manners.
• I take care to consider the impression I’m making on others.
• I enjoy finding out what makes other people “tick.”

These items measure the social sensitivity component of social intelligence, which is the ability to read others and social situations.

• I can be comfortable with all types of people—young and old, rich and poor.
• I often find that I am the spokesperson for a group.
• I can easily adjust to just about any social situation.

Agreement with these items suggests that one possesses the role-playing skills that allow socially intelligent people to fit into social situations with a wide range of different people.

A fuller index that measures both elements of emotional and social intelligence is the Social Skills Inventory (Riggio & Carney, 2003), which provides a detailed report of possession of these important forms of intelligence.

Social intelligence is important as it is linked to being socially successful, and is important in professions and positions of leadership.