Penguin effect
Emotionally intelligent people have this ability ahead of others
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Researchers at the University of Berkeley in California have investigated why and how often we talk past each other in everyday conversations. This showed that a common cause of misunderstandings is the so-called penguin effect.
Human communication is a small miracle that we take for granted in everyday life and rarely appreciate. Just looking at the language systems, which, among other things, have given rise to our need for communication and which testify to creativity and intelligence that is unique on earth, could always amaze us. How we also bring elements such as empathy, facial expressions and mental flexibility into our interpersonal exchanges makes the matter even more interesting and admirable.
Emotionally intelligent people are often also communication experts
Admittedly, there are sometimes problems in our communication and some people struggle through each day rather than mastering it. There is no shame in such a complex and demanding matter. At the same time, however, there are many people who have special communication skills, whether through practice or talent or a mixture of both or something else. They often have a generally high level of emotional intelligence, that is, an extraordinarily good understanding of what moves them and those around them, especially feelings. Emotionally intelligent people are generally very good listeners, often notice misunderstandings before they escalate, and keep in mind that the other person has a fundamentally different perspective than they do. Emotionally intelligent people often respond to the penguin effect – even if they may not always be aware of it.
What is the Penguin Effect?
The penguin effect states that even with simple, concrete terms, the likelihood of it conjuring up roughly the same idea in two people is extremely small. Even with a seemingly very clear concept that we refer to with the word “penguin,” it is just twelve percent, as researchers at the University of Berkeley in California have now discovered. Some people think of small penguins, others think of large ones, others see a yellow splash of color on the bird’s head and some immediately picture fluffy, gray penguin chicks. Even with such specific nouns as the word penguin, the scientists recorded between ten and 30 different variants of ideas. How many there will be for abstract concepts such as fear or comfort can be roughly guessed from this.
Can we even understand each other?
Even if we walk through the world and communicate with others with different experiences and ideas, most people at least manage well enough to use communication to get together and understand each other. Assuming that another person thinks the same way we do is an illusion – but it is also rarely a meaningful goal for an act of communication. Every interpersonal exchange has the potential for misunderstanding, as the penguin effect vividly demonstrates, among other things. People who are particularly emotionally intelligent usually know this or may sense it. And as a rule, a clever conclusion is drawn from this: that in case of doubt, there is no reason to communicate less or even louder and angrier – but, on the contrary, to do it more, calmer and more benevolently.
Sources used: scientificamerican.com, inc.com, direct.mit.edu