In recent years a number of theorists have proposed the
existence of emotional intelligence that is complementary to the type of
intelligence measured by IQ tests.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize
one's own and other people's emotions, to discriminate between different feelings and label
them appropriately, and to use emotional information to guide thinking and
behavior.
American psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer, introduced
the concept in 1990. Emotionally intelligent people can use their emotions to
guide thoughts and behavior and can accurately read others’ emotions. Daniel
Goleman, an American author and journalist, popularized the concept in his book
Emotional Intelligence (1995). He expanded the concept to include general
social competence.
There
are three models of EI. The ability model focuses on the individual's ability to process emotional
information and use it to navigate the social environment. The trait model encompasses behavioral dispositions and self perceived abilities
and is measured through self report. The final model, the mixed model is a combination of both
ability and trait EI. It defines EI as an array of skills and characteristics
that drive leadership performance.
Studies
have shown that people with high EI have greater mental health, exemplary job performance, and more
potent leadership skills. Markers of EI and
methods of developing it have become more widely coveted in the past few
decades. In addition, studies have begun to provide evidence to help
characterize the neural mechanisms of emotional intelligence.
Criticisms
have centered on whether EI is a real intelligence and whether it has incremental validity over IQ and the Big Five personality traits.
(Adapted from Encarta and Wikipedia
Encyclopedias)