What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional Intelligence, also called EI or EQ, describes an ability, capacity, or skill to perceive, assess, and manage the emotions of one's self, of others, and of groups.
Who came up with the idea and when?
The term "emotional intelligence" appears to have originated with Wayne Payne (1985), but was popularized by Daniel Goleman (1995). The leading research on the concept originated with Peter Salovey and John "Jack" Mayer starting in the late 1980s. In 1990, their seminal paper (1990) defined the concept as intelligence. Mayer and Salovey continued to research the concept, and created an emotional intelligence test called the MSCEIT (Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test). The term "emotional quotient" seems to have originated in an article by Keith Beasley (1987). Bar-on (1997) developed a test measuring emotional quotient, called the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQi). There are numerous other assessments of emotional intelligence each advocating different models and measures.
The importance of emotional intelligence tests (found in http://www.eqi.org/index.htm)
Very briefly I can see a few reasons why good tests of EI would be important. One is so we can identify the young people who are gifted with high emotional intelligence. We could then be sure that they receive special training to develop their abilities to the fullest. I believe the emotional geniuses of the world are the people who have the potential to solve many of humanities most serious problems. For example the problems with war, terrorism, domestic violence, the high divorce rate, and school shootings.
Another reason might be to identify very young children with high innate emotional intelligence so we can then re-test them to see if their families and schooling has damaged their emotional skills. I have absolutely no doubt that many young people with high emotional intelligence are being raised in ways which corrupts their natural talents and turns them into at best very depressed adults or at words very dangerous adults or suicidal teens. See “The dark side of emotional intelligence”.
Another reason which has been mentioned by other people is to identify those with low innate emotional intelligence and give them special remedial help.
To conclude, I believe there is value to testing for emotional intelligence. But I don't believe there are any good tests of EI to date. I do hope the academic people will keep working on creating better tests, and I assume they will. I also hope they will take my criticisms of the MSCEIT test seriously when they are designing new tests.
My Score:
You scored 60% correct!
Remember you responses need to have been as honest as possible. If you feel that your score does not reflect you, please retake the test and answer each question in the way that best represents the way you typically feel.
What does this mean?
Your score indicates that you have an average EQ
People who typically score in this range are usually able to recognize and understand their feelings and to express them in an appropriate manner. They are fairly comfortable with who they are. In most circumstances they are not afraid to show love, empathy and compassion for other people. In general, they are comfortable with intimacy, and giving of themselves to other people.
They are pretty good communicators. They are fairly in tune with themselves and those around them. They generally know how to say the right thing at the right moment. They are good friends and partners. They are normally able to show anger in appropriate ways. More often than not, they are able to stand up for themselves when necessary, but also are not afraid to cry if they are hurt. They are able to admit when they are wrong and take steps to correct their mistakes. They are rarely unable to say they are sorry.
They are generally happy, well-rounded people. They accept challenges. They can stay motivated and focused in the face of setbacks. They are able to set goals for themselves and often achieve them. They are positive and optimistic about themselves, others around them, and their future.
However, just because people with an average EQ have a pretty good grasp on their emotions they still have plenty of room for emotional growth. They can continue to be introspective. They can continue to communicate with the people around them and continue to work on their goals. They can utilize what they have and continue to identify areas within themselves that need work.
Remember that a person's emotional intelligence never stops growing. Because we are always evolving as people, EQ is something that must be nurtured. If it isn’t cultivated, emotional intelligence will disappear.
We wish you the best of luck with your future EQ.
My reaction:
Before beginning this lesson I didn’t know that there was such a thing as Emotional Intelligence. After taking the test and researching a little bit I have a better understanding. As for my results I believe that they are pretty accurate. I agree with what it says about me. No complaints.