Psychology · Ch 1 — Variations in Psychological Attributes
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence
The idea of emotional intelligence expands what we mean by intelligence. It moves beyond purely intellectual or cognitive abilities and recognises that emotions are a vital part of being intelligent. This concept also connects with how intelligence has been understood in the Indian tradition, where intellect and emotion are not seen as separate.
Emotional intelligence is a set of skills that allow you to accurately appraise, express, and regulate emotions. It is, in a sense, the feeling side of intelligence. A high IQ and excellent academic records are not enough to guarantee success in life. You may know people who are academically brilliant but struggle in their personal lives — they face difficulties in their family, at work, and in their relationships with others. What is missing? Many psychologists believe the root of their trouble is a lack of emotional intelligence.
The concept was first introduced by psychologists Salovey and Mayer. They defined emotional intelligence as “the ability to monitor one’s own and other’s emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use the information to guide one’s thinking and actions.” Just as we use IQ (Intelligence Quotient) to measure cognitive intelligence, we use EQ (Emotional Quotient) to measure emotional intelligence. In simple terms, emotional intelligence is the ability to process emotional information accurately and efficiently.
Characteristics of Emotionally Intelligent Persons
People who are high on emotional intelligence typically show these qualities:
- They perceive and are sensitive to their own feelings and emotions.
- They perceive and are sensitive to the emotions of others by paying attention to body language, voice and tone, and facial expressions.
- They connect their emotions to their thoughts, so that emotions are taken into account when solving problems and making decisions.
- They understand the powerful influence that the nature and intensity of their emotions can have.
- They control and regulate their emotions and how they express them, both when dealing with themselves and with others, in order to achieve harmony and peace.