The Science of “Smart”

When someone is known as “smart” or “intelligent,” generally the expectation is that they must excel in school and get impressively high grades, that learning may even come easy to them, but this is not always the case. Often, high grades can be attainable through simple hard work and dedication. So what makes an individual intelligent? Sure, there is some part of intelligence that may translate into traditional academics–after all, IQ (intelligence quotient) tests measure reasoning and problem-solving abilities which translate very easily into academic skill and ability. Yet science has shown us that there is much more to intelligence than just reasoning and problem-solving skills. 

Enter EQ, otherwise known as Emotional Intelligence. Emotional intelligence is exactly what it sounds like and more! It refers to the ability of individuals to identify, process, manage, and communicate about their emotions and those of others in a healthy and beneficial manner. More often than not, people tend to polarize emotions on one end of the spectrum and reasoning on the other side, but the ideal individual has integrated the two together and has healthy access to both emotion (which is human and normal) and reason (also human and normal). If children and adults were more understanding of and better able to manage their emotions, they would be more likely to express them in a healthy manner and there would be less stigma towards “emotional” individuals. 

At the Turner Foundation Community Learning Centers (CLCs) we teach social-emotional learning (SEL) which incorporates emotional learning and development into traditional, academic studies. SEL actually promotes a growth mindset which begins from the assumption that intelligence is not fixed, but instead cultivated by hard work and perseverance. This in and of itself has a tendency to improve both traditional academic performance and emotional intelligence and management. It sets students up for success by giving them a better outlook on their personal ability and self-worth (which are two very separate things) and is more motivating in the academic realm because there is the hope and expectation for improvement both personally and in academic performance. 

SEL impacts academics in other unconventional ways as well! When students are more emotionally healthy, they are better able to relate to their peers and teachers at school itself. They are better able to identify and communicate their personal needs and are often better equipped to engage and participate within the classroom environment. These abilities to empathize, form healthy reciprocal relationships, work towards goals, and maintain a positive attitude of gratitude  translate directly into adulthood after school is over. It prepares students to better approach interview processes and have better job opportunities. It also lays the foundation for building authentic personal relationships that will last into adulthood and beyond. 

It is clear that the definition of intelligence needs to be expanded as we consider all of the things that impact its growth and development. We are proud to offer SEL to our CLC students as a more holistic approach to learning, intelligence, and relationship-forming. To learn more about what we do at our CLCs, visit our website at the Turner Foundation here!