Theoretical interpretation of social intelligence and the experience of its applied sociological research

The paper contains a theoretical and empirical characteristic of social intelligence as a person’s sustained ability to understand himself, other people, relationships and anticipate interpersonal situations. The usefulness of isolating and considering the following key signs of social intelligence is substantiated: a person’s understanding himself, his adequate self-esteem; understanding of surrounding people, their adequate assessment; understanding the nature of relationships with other people; prediction of interpersonal events, the likely consequences of their own actions and the reactions of others around them; adaptation to interpersonal relationships. For empirical analysis, one of the most significant manifestations of social intelligence is highlighted - prediction of life situations and problems. As analytical indicators may be identified: the need for predicting life situations and problems; assessment of the importance of predicting these situations; awareness of how correctly predict life situations; experience in everyday life forecasting; self-assessment of the ability to predict life situations; assessment of personal qualities required for predicting. Half of the students of the examined universities have a need for predicting life situations, and forecasting itself is an important practical action for them. Two-thirds of students have practical experience in predicting life situations, which is enriched during their education. At the same time, half of the students critically evaluate their everyday forecasting experience and the qualities necessary for this (analytical mind, experience, intuition, ability to model a situation, etc.).