The triad of intelligences, emotions, and relationships

The World Health Organization in 1948 introduced a new concept of health: no longer simply the absence of disease, but a complete state of physical, psychological, emotional, social, and existential well-being. Within this new framework, which we call global health, building truly integral well-being, encompassing the entire human experience, depends on functional balance and alignment between emotions, intelligences, and relationships. The key role of self-awarenessThe term self-awareness (sometimes used as a synonym for sel... More emerges, like a conductor, ensuring harmony among these three dimensions of existence, enabling full realization, growth, and happinessHappiness represents an emotional state characterized by pos... More.

Global health as interconnection and extension

The perspective of global healthIn the vast and multifaceted landscape of global health, the... More emphasizes the deep interconnection among various aspects of human life: emotional, physical, psychological, cognitive, relational, professional, and even spiritual. At the same time, it recognizes the positive interdependence among biological, social, community, international, and interspecies systems, understanding the health of people, groups, populations, and even the Planet itself.

Alongside the vertical extension of the various health dimensions and the geographical extension, which goes beyond borders to achieve the well-being of the individual and the whole, global health also includes biographical extension, supporting the value of health at all ages and throughout life, again recognizing the correlation of well-being states among children, adolescents, adults, and elderly people.

From this broad perspective of interconnections on a small and large scale, global health rests on a fundamental triad, whose integration and functional balance allow full personal and community fulfillment: intelligences, emotions, and relationships.

Intelligences: the many faces of cognitive potential

Today, we no longer speak of a single intelligence, but of “intelligences,” in the plural. The concept of multiple intelligences was proposed in the 1980s by Howard Gardner, psychologist and professor of Cognitive Sciences at Harvard University. With this new concept, Gardner highlighted the need to also overcome measuring intelligence through simple IQ (intelligence quotient).

He instead proposed a more nuanced and multidimensional view of intelligences, which interact and integrate with one another, creating a unique and subjective functioning of the individual.

What are the multiple intelligences?

Gardner identified several types of intelligence:

1. Linguistic intelligence: involves the ability to express oneself with words and in different languages, both written and oral, typical of writers, poets, journalists, and speakers.
2. Logical-mathematical intelligence: involves reasoning, problem-solving, numerical processing, and scientific thinking, particularly developed in mathematicians, researchers, and programmers.
3. Spatial intelligence: allows mental visualization of objects and spatial orientation, characteristic of architects, designers, and sculptors.
4. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence: linked to body movement control and coordination, predominant in athletes, dancers, and surgeons.
5. Musical intelligence: concerns sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, and melodies, evident in musicians, composers, and conductors.
6. Interpersonal social intelligence: involves the ability to understand the emotions and intentions of others, useful for leaders, teachers, and psychologists.
7. Intrapersonal intelligence: involves self-knowledge, typical of philosophers, writers, and monks.
8. Naturalistic intelligenceNaturalistic intelligence is one of the eight multiple intel... More: involves the ability to recognize, classify, and understand the natural world and living beings, typical of biologists and scientists.
9. Existential intelligence: involves the ability to reflect on philosophical and abstract topics, fundamental human questions such as the meaning of life, death, freedom, and spiritualitySpirituality is a broad and varied concept that can have dif... More, typical of priests, meditationThere are many ways to define meditation, but perhaps the si... More teachers, and philosophers.

Multiple intelligences: educational and pedagogical implications

Gardner’s concept of multiple intelligences has naturally profoundly transformed contemporary educational and pedagogical approaches. It encourages the development of differentiated, inclusive, and personalized teaching methodologies that value diverse learningThe term learning—with the synonyms to learn, assimilate, ... More styles.

Based on the theory of multiple intelligences, educational planning is oriented towards increasingly flexible curricula and the adoption of diversified evaluation strategies, allowing each student to express their potential through the most suitable channels.

Applying this theory entails significant challenges for educational systems, requiring extensive teacher training and continuous professional development, as well as resources to implement differentiated teaching approaches. To support the training of educators and teachers worldwide, offering innovative and high-quality teaching, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti and New Life for Children created the Teachers Outreach platform, to effectively disseminate Third Millennium PedagogyTo understand what pedagogy is, let’s provide a definition... More in all countries.

Relationships at the center

Natural protagonists of interpersonal social intelligence, relationships are in reality central in relation to all intelligences, as well as the connective tissue of society and our existence. Scientific research shows the importance of sociality for global health and how the quality of our bonds positively influences well-being, physical, and mental health. From intimate to professional relationships, from family to community, every emotional connectionConnection: the human need that precedes all technology Conn... More contributes to supporting our well-being.

Maintaining solid and meaningful relationships is correlated with lower stressFrom a clinical point of view, stress is a physiological and... More levels, stronger immune systems, and greater longevity. Relationships act as natural buffers against life’s difficulties, providing emotional, practical, and spiritual support in times of need, supporting our copingCoping is the ability to face and manage stress, challenges,... More and resilienceAccording to the American Psychological Association, resilie... More abilities.

Even though the most meaningful relationships are those that most enrich our daily life, sociologist Mark Granovetter also emphasized the profound value of less rooted relationships, proposing the “strength of weak ties” theory. According to this, even less deep connections are still effective social networks and valuable bridges to the world and the community, for example in professional growth.

The dangers of isolation and loneliness

While science has identified healthy sociality as a fundamental element for global health, it has also highlighted the dangers of loneliness and social isolation. Suffering related to social isolationSocial isolation is a psychological and social phenomenon th... More and loneliness is perceived as real pain by the brain. Isolation and loneliness have been compared to the impact of smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity on our global health and risk of premature mortality.

The American Psychological Association lists the main harmful effects of loneliness and isolation:

• increased depressionDepression is a disorder characterized by persistent sadness... More and anxietyAnxiety is an emotional response characterized by feelings o... More
• impaired executive functionsThe term 'executive functions' refers to a set of mental pro... More
• accelerated cognitive decline
• worsened cardiovascular health
• compromised immune system
• poor sleep quality

Countering loneliness and its related dangers is urgent and possible, according to the European Union document Risk factors for loneliness, by investing in protective factors, such as:

• education
• engagement in work or productive activities
• a stable socio-economic situation
• psychological and individual emotional resources, such as good self-esteemThe term self-esteem literally refers to the evaluation of o... More and a sense of self-efficacyWhen facing the daily challenges we must confront, sometimes... More

Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti to support sociality

Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti invests in education as the first tool for change, also fundamental to help counter loneliness and social isolation. The Foundation actively participates in raising awareness about the importance of healthy sociality, with content freely shared on its self-education and scientific dissemination portal.

At the same time, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti offers concrete opportunities for social solidarityThe psychological force that transforms individuals into com... More, such as the recent Infiorata in Gallicano, Lazio, the non-competitive Run Rome The Marathon relay, or the campaign in Italian cities and beaches of the Carovana del Cuore. These activities combine the protective effect of sociality with the benefits of solidarity and volunteering.

Intelligence for relationships: emotional intelligence

The network of relationships is nurtured and cultivated through emotional intelligence, i.e., intelligence in emotions. The concept of emotional intelligenceThe first definition of Emotional Intelligence as such was p... More was introduced by Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer in 1990, to describe “The ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide thinking and actions.”

Emotions are fundamental psychophysiological responses that allow us to respond optimally and quickly to stimuli. They are systems of communication and information that guide decisions and actions, shaping our reality.

The five domains of emotional intelligence are:

• Self-awareness
• Self-control and self-regulation
• MotivationMotivation: a scientific perspective Motivation is a fundame... More
• EmpathyEmpathy is a fundamental skill that allows us to connect wit... More
• Social skillsThe relational core of emotional competence When we talk abo... More

What is emotional illiteracy?

A lack of emotional intelligence can be part of a psychological disorder: alexithymia. A lack of emotional competence can also lead to true emotional illiteracyEmotional illiteracy is a term used to describe a person’s... More, the inability to recognize, understand, express, and manage one’s own and others’ emotions. This is a risk factor for global health, both at the personal and community level.

Emotional illiteracy is associated with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, chronic stress, psychosomatic disorders, and addictions. Moreover, it undermines social life, the quality of personal and professional relationships, increasing the risk of isolation and conflict.

It is also connected to the inability to manage frustration, anger, or fear, leading to impulsive or aggressive reactions, contributing to phenomena such as bullyingAlthough there is no universally agreed-upon definition of b... More, domestic violence, intolerance, and social polarization.

Investing in emotional education

To counter emotional illiteracy and foster more resilient, aware, and cohesive societies, it is necessary to invest in emotional education from early childhood, including at school, with specific educational programs and continuous teacher training.

Supporting the emotional intelligence of children and adolescents means nurturing adults capable of recognizing their emotional patterns, developing constructive strategies to face stress and conflicts. Emotional competence therefore translates into healthier relationships and more thoughtful decisions.

Education on emotions, intelligences, and relationships with Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti

Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti invests in education on the triad of emotions, intelligences, and relationships through its scientific dissemination and self-education portal, offering articles, webinars, and downloadable EduKits. It has also published a series dedicated to Emotions at all ages.

Through the RINED Research Institute, it studies inner resources such as resilience and translates scientific findings into educational programs in schools, including the Assisi International School and projects such as Prefigurare il Futuro and Oltre le Periferie.

The mediator of awareness

Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti promotes the importance of self-awareness as an essential mediator in the dialogueDialogue: When Words Become Relationship Dialogue is one of ... More between emotions, intelligences, and relationships. Awareness is a bridge between the different dimensions of our existence, allowing us to observe, choose, and direct our energies more effectively.

It can be cultivated through practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and intentional silence, central in various scientific studies.

Cultivating awareness means knowing one’s automatic patterns, not to eliminate them, but to channel and direct them toward constructive goals.