Assessing People Using Capacity and Intention

Jul 1, 2024

Assessing People Using Capacity and Intention

Introduction

  • Speaker: David Shapiro
  • Context: Framework for quick appraisals/assessments of people, useful for neurodiverse and neurotypical interactions.
  • Purpose: Addressing differences in interaction expectations due to neurodiversity.

Neurotypical Privilege

  • Definition: Unspoken paradigms and expectations around boundaries and behavior that neurotypical people don't have to think about.
  • Impact on Neurodiverse Individuals: Different interactions and approaches are required, more thought needed for boundaries and truth.

Framework Overview

  • Components: Capacity and Intention
  • Objective: To gauge whether someone is a suitable person to interact with or include in one's life.

Capacity

  • Definition: Combination of emotional, intellectual, and maturity levels. Includes self-awareness and skills required to engage in a particular context.
  • Examples:*
    • Professional collaboration: Assess skills, background, education.
    • Personal relationships: Assess communication skills and emotional intelligence.
    • Respecting boundaries: Key to determining inclusion in one's life, important for vulnerable individuals.
  • Behavior Analysis: Using demonstrated behavior to infer capacity.
    • Quote: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."

Intention

  • Definition: Goals, motivations, and needs of the person.
  • Indicators:
    • Name, description, and background context (e.g., LinkedIn profile).
    • Behavior in interactions (e.g., response to boundaries, demands, and communication clarity).
  • Behavioral Red Flags:
    • Pushy or demanding behavior.
    • Poor response to scrutiny or boundaries.
    • Lack of clarity or excessive questioning without context.
  • Respecting Feedback:
    • Check with others for a second opinion.
    • Use of 'compliment sandwich' for delivering constructive criticism.

Practical Application

  • Professional Interactions:
    • Gauge collaborators' readiness through skills and behavior.
    • Use LinkedIn for contextual background checks.
  • Personal Relationships:
    • Assess friends' and partners' emotional and communicative capacities.
    • Provide feedback, observe reactions.
  • General Warnings:
    • Be aware of red flags or mismatches in capacity and/or intention.
    • Remember subjective nature; use second opinions and recommendations.
    • Positive response to 'compliment sandwich' signals good capacity and intention alignment.

Conclusion

  • Personal Experience: Framework developed from years of studying neurodiversity, psychology, and communication.
  • Objective: To help others avoid manipulation and improve interaction outcomes by assessing capacity and intention.
  • Final Note: Align intentions with your needs and wants for better interactions.

Thanks for watching!