Types of Intelligence and why Intelligence is Important

By Loretta Simpson

WHAT ARE COGNITIVE AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE?


     Intelligence is a general mental capability that, among other things, involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience. It is not merely book learning, a narrow academic skill, or test-taking smarts. Rather, it reflects a broader and deeper capability for comprehending our surroundings—” catching on”, “making sense” of things, or “figuring out” what to do.

    Cognitive Intelligence - Intellectual abilities such as logic, reason, reading, writing, analyzing, and prioritizing. These go on in your own head and utilize only the neocortex, not the emotional centers of the brain which also provide crucial information. These abilities do not require any social skills per se, i.e., you can solve a math equation by yourself, write an essay, or balance a business’ book by yourself.

    Emotional Intelligence - Understanding your own emotions and those of others, and being able to use this information to bring about the best outcome for all concerned. Knowing where emotions come from and being able to manage your own and those of others. Knowing what emotions mean and what information they are providing. Being able to work well with others as well as alone. Being able to combine cognitive knowledge with emotional knowledge and use them in tandem.

    if we are to move from planning, vision, action, and outcomes; we need both types of intelligence. We must begin to pull back the layers of racial trauma to gain a greater understanding of individual and collective intelligence. The journey will begin with knowledge of self and liberation from oppression! 

    Salovey and Mayer (1990) have defined emotional intelligence  as “the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions.”

Be mindful, "The only person that can liberate you from oppression is you."

Loretta Simpson has spent her life using her personal and career experiences to help individuals, overcome disadvantages in public policy and public practices. Teaching individuals to recognize their strengths and innate learned abilities are her greatest strengths. She believes that Africans have a right to education, equity, and access. She knows how to effectively help others in education development, personal development, program implementation, community planning, and family/community engagement. She is a social justice champion and an encourager to those who need a word of encouragement. Her work is a labor of love. She knows there is no single approach that works for everyone, so she continues to educate herself on emerging learning modalities and tools to provide the most comprehensive programs and services that empower individuals, students, families, and the community. She has over twenty years of experience in community counseling, organizational psychology, and effectively providing person-centered and need-based services. She is committed to cultural awareness, understands the importance of cultural identity, and values cross-cultural differences.

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