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Emotional intelligence theory essay
Emotional intelligence theory essay
Emotional versus cognitive intelligence
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Over twenty years ago Mayer & Salovey (1993) introduced the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EQ). Since then psychologists and researchers have debated the distinction between EQ and Social Intelligence (SQ) and general intelligence as a whole (IQ). Many critics of EQ believe that it is better defined as a ‘competence’ rather than an intelligence (Salovey & Mayer, 1993). Others, suggest that it is merely an extension of SQ, and cannot stand alone as a type of intelligence (Matthews, Zeidner, & Roberts, 2002). Some researchers reject the idea of multiple intelligences, instead asserting that general intelligence encompasses a wide range of abilities and talents, and therefore these ‘multiple’ intelligences are facets of our general intelligence …show more content…
As Mayer et al. (2004) propose EQ involves “the capacity to reason about emotions, and of emotions to enhance thinking” (p. 197). This suggests that EQ involves a combination of intelligence and emotion. EQ can assist in and measure intellectual processing of particular types of information (emotions) and our ability to reason and problem solve in response to them (Salovey & Mayer, 1993). The types of emotion which EQ theory is based can be defined as both simple and complex, they can be regulated, and serve a practical purpose in relationships, existent or non-existent, between individuals and their environments (Averill, 1992). Studies suggest that EQ can detect differences between individual’s abilities to recognize, distinguish and comprehend their own emotions and the emotions of others (Becker, 2003). EQ can be separated into four domains including perception of emotions, embracing emotional feelings, understanding them, and being able to manage them (Mayer, Caruso, & Salovey, 2000). As previously stated, to be recognised as a type of non-academic intelligence EQ must demonstrate mental performance, such as knowing how to calm down when angry or upset. It must describe observed standards, for example, comparisons can be drawn between verbal intelligence (which is a subset of general intelligence) and EQ which uses both verbal and nonverbal evaluation, yet they differ immensely in the type of information (emotions) being processed. Finally, an intelligence must develop with age. Accordingly, research has shown an increase in EQ from young childhood through to adulthood. However, once an individual has reached adulthood there was minimal progression in EQ (Mayer, Caruso, & Salovey,
The ability to express and control our own emotions is vital for our survival in society and the work place but so is our ability to understand, interpret, and respond to the emotions of others. Salovey and Mayer proposed a model that identified four different factors of emotional intelligence (Cherry, 2015).
Zeidner, M., Roberts, R.D., & Matthews, G. (2008). The science of emotional intelligence: Current consensus and controversies. European Psychologist, 13(1), 64-78.
A person’s EQ is an important skill that can be developed over a person’s lifetime. It is controlled by the part of the brain called the amygdala, which psychologists say is what controls emotion and then gives a person the ability to connect and communicate with others around you. Emotional intelligence branches out to all aspects of life and allows one to become better at controlling anger, making decisions, and keeping a positive attitude. Emotional Intelligence was not an official term in terms of psychology until the 1990’s. Before this, the emotions of women were viewed as a weakness by men and the rest of society and one was considered to be valuable to society if they could live without showing emotion in a situation. Stowe, having used the emotional intelligence of women as something that makes them more capable in society to determine what was right and wrong through communication with others, was ahead of her time in her advanced
Stough, C., Saklofske, D.H., & Parker, J.D.A. (2009). Assessing Emotional Intelligence: Theory, Research, and Applications. New York: Springer Science.
Emotional intelligence is the subset of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions. (Ledlow & Coppola,
Emotional intelligence has been defined as “the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions,” (Gantt & Slife 17). Psychologists John Mayer, Peter Salovey and David Caruso argue that some people have a greater emotional intelligence and a greater capacity than others to carry out more intelligent information when processing emotions. While on the other hand, psychologists Gerald Matthew, Moshe Zeidner, and Richard Roberts claimed that the concept of emotional intelligence, as it is defined now is flawed and has no reliable foundation in any of the models of human behavior such as biological, cognitive, coping, or personality.
An individual’s ability to control and express their emotions is just as important as his/her ability to respond, understand, and interpret the emotions of others. The ability to do both of these things is emotional intelligence, which, it has been argued, is just as important if not more important than IQ (Cassady & Eissa, 2011). Emotional intelligence refers to one’s ability to perceive emotions, control them, and evaluate them. While some psychologists argue that it is innate, others claim that it is possible to learn and strengthen it. Academically, it has been referred to as social intelligence sub-set. This involves an individual’s ability to monitor their emotions and feelings, as well as those of others, and to differentiate them in a manner that allows the individuals to integrate them in their actions and thoughts (Cassady & Eissa, 2011).
The scope of emotional intelligence includes the verbal and nonverbal appraisal and expression of emotion, the regulation of emotion in the self and others, and the utilization of emotional content in problem solving. (pp. 433)
The elements of emotional intelligence that leaders must be aware of are self-awareness, self-management, motivation, social awareness, and relationship management (Batool, 2013). Collectively, these elements permit a manager to understand and manage behaviors of the self and others. In other words, a leader must understand her emotions (introspection) and the emotions of others (empathy).
In the early 80s, the concept of social intelligence resurfaces under the theory of multiple intelligences presented by Howard Gardner in which interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences were included. Interpersonal intelligence was defined as having the ability to understand the feelings of others, whereas intrapersonal intelligence focuses on understanding one’s own emotions (Cartwri...
Emotional intelligence, a theory growing in popularity within some academic circles, relies on an individual’s abilities to have self-awareness, be empathetic, understanding, able to manage their emotions, motivate themselves and others.
General intelligence (IQ) is broadly used by companies in order to test their employees; schools allocate students according to IQ results, or the test is taken for pure entertainment purposes. For example, Ivy leagues universities make assessments of IQ that will be integrated into the files of the students; IQ is a number attached to someone’s capacity to solve logic tests; 2) Emotional intelligence, variable and susceptible to factors such as sex, occupation, stress levels, etc. EQ finds its symposium in people that use their feelings within their work place, but emotional intelligence is not limited to a job. For instance, women, who tend to have a higher EQ, during the period of gestation have different hormonal levels, which could affect their emotional intelligence since vulnerability to external stimuli is increased; 3) Cultural intelligence, which is unquantifiable and improvable according to the six step training that explain how to utilize CQ on the workplace, and inevitably apply the training received at home among family and friends. ( Early and Mosakowski 7). Cultural intelligence is present in all Homo sapiens and differs from general intelligence and emotional intelligence. Hermann’s research article states: “humans’ especially powerful skills of
Dr. Reuven Bar-On’s (2005) reports that social intelligence publications began appearing in 1920 with the work of Edward Thorndike. The early studies concerning emotions and behaviour focused on the description of, the definition of, and the assessment of socially competent behaviours. Edgar Doll (1935) published the first instrument designed to measure the socially intelligent behaviour in young children (Bar-On, 2005). In 1940, Wechsler described “non-intelligent” factors of behaviour, such as personality traits as well as an individual’s anxiety, persistence and goal awareness, which can also be attributed to be a reference to the construct of EI. Scholars began to shift their focused attention from describing and assessing general intellectual intelligence, to gaining an understanding of the purposeful interpersonal behaviours and the role intelligence plays in an individual’s effective adaptability (Zirkel, 2000). With this shift in concentration, came the strengthening of Wechsler’s definition of general intelligence. According to Bar-On (2005), these early characterizations of intelligence may have influenced the way that emotional intelligence was later conceptualised. In the 1960’s there was interest in an individuals’ social intelligence. Thorndike originally described social intelligence, as an individual’s ability to understand and manage other people and to engage in adaptive social interactions (Cantor and Kihlstrom, 1987). However, the interest seems to have faded with the start of the 1970’s (Salovey & Sluyter, 1997). Interest in social intelligence or other intelligences revived in 1983 when Howard Gardner introduced the theory of multiple intelligences (Brualdi, 1996; Gardner, 1993; Gardner, 1995). Gardner propos...
Moods are diffuse affective states that generally last for much longer durations than emotions and are also usually less intense than
Goleman, D., 2005. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.