Emotional intelligence

The essentials

The idea of emotional intelligence (EI) was introduced by Peter Salovey and John Mayer and later popularised by Daniel Goleman. Salovey and Mayer described it as the ability to monitor one's own and others' emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide thinking and action. The measure is sometimes called the emotional quotient (EQ), by analogy with IQ.

EI explains why people with high IQ do not always succeed in life, while people with average IQ may do very well. Success in relationships, work and adjustment often depends on how well a person handles feelings.

Key points

Characteristics of emotionally intelligent people:

• Perceiving and being sensitive to their own feelings and emotions.
• Perceiving and being sensitive to the emotions of others by noting body language, voice and facial expression.
• Relating emotions to thought and using them in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Understanding the powerful influence of the nature and intensity of emotions.
• Controlling and regulating emotions and their expression while dealing with self and others.
• Schools in many countries run programmes to develop EI, which are linked to better academic performance and fewer behaviour problems.

Exam tips

• Link EI to Gardner's interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences, since both involve understanding feelings.
• Case questions often describe a person who stays calm under provocation or senses a friend's sadness; identify this as EI.

Common mistakes

• Thinking EI means suppressing all emotions; it means recognising and regulating them appropriately.
• Assuming EI and IQ are the same; they are distinct abilities.