Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, understand, use, and regulate one's own and others' emotions effectively. It predicts better relationship quality, greater psychological well-being, and professional performance than IQ in contexts requiring collaboration, leadership, or stress management.
Concept origin
Salovey and Mayer (1990) formulated the original four-branch model. Goleman (1995) popularized it globally with "Emotional Intelligence." Bar-On (1997) proposed a competencies model. The three versions differ in what they include, but agree that EI is trainable, not fixed.
Therapeutic approach
EI training includes: practice of precise emotional labeling (emotional granularity, Lisa Feldman Barrett), recording and analysis of intense emotional situations, practice of cognitive and affective empathy, and development of adaptive regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal.
Related concepts
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