The correct term that describes the ability to interpret unfamiliar gestures and devise appropriate behavioral responses is cultural intelligence. Cultural intelligence refers to an individual’s capability to function effectively in intercultural settings. This encompasses understanding and navigating through diverse cultural norms, values, and practices, which includes interpreting nonverbal cues such as gestures that may vary significantly from one culture to another. Individuals with high cultural intelligence are adept at adjusting their responses to align with the expectations of different cultural contexts, enhancing mutual understanding and communication.
In contrast, emotional intelligence primarily focuses on the awareness and management of one's own emotions and the emotions of others, which doesn’t specifically cover the interpretation of cultural gestures. Social intelligence involves the ability to navigate social situations and understand social dynamics but is broader and less focused on specific cultural contexts than cultural intelligence. General intelligence relates to overall cognitive abilities, which includes reasoning and problem-solving but does not specifically pertain to cultural understanding or interpretative skills.