Emotional intelligence – A review and evaluation study

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on the subject of``emotional intelligence'' (EQ) and attempts to pin-down and define this nebulous construct, using competency-based and personality factor scales. In an exploratory study, the reliability and construct and predictive validity of three scales were investigated. An EQ scale based on 16 relevant competencies showed highly promising reliability and validity. The results also showed the relevance of two other competency-based scales ± intellectual intelligence (IQ) and managerial intelligence (MQ) ± which both predicted organisational advancement. Taken together, however, the three scales had even higher validity. The overall results supported the view that EQ constructs can be measured more effectively bỳ`p erformance analysis'' than``classic paper and pencil tests''. In addition they provide support for the proposition that the combination of EQ and IQ is a more powerful predictor of``success'' than either measure alone. IntroductionThe current widespread interest in the topic of emotional intelligence has undoubtedly been fuelled by Daniel Goleman's book (Goleman, 1996) and its associated publicity. The popularity of the topic has led to a range of predominantly popular books and articles examining its applications and its development in the context both of individuals and of corporations. Corporate interest appears to be strongly related to the continuing search for a way of securing sustainable competitive advantage which can be developed through attention to``people issues'research has been conducted in an organisational context and existing research has been largely drawn from physiological research developments, educational-based research and developments in the therapy field (e.g. Goleman, 1996;Steiner, 1997;Damasio, 1994). The organisational applications of emotional intelligence tend to be based on derivative arguments and largely anecdotal case descriptions. This raises one of the core questions which the research reported in this paper sets out to examine:

The Impact of Trait Emotional Intelligence on Nursing Team Performance and Cohesiveness

“…Indeed, although EI appears to be related to performance and effective outcomes in some cases (Bachman, Stein, Campbell, & Sitarenios, 2000;Bar-On, 1997;Dulewicz & Higgs, 2000;Janovics & Christiansen, 2001), the results are very limited and often contradictory (Zeidner et al, 2004). Moreover, the literature is replete with unsubstantiated generalizations, with much of the existing evidence bearing on the role of EI in occupational success either anecdotal or impressionistic and/or based on unpublished or in-house research (Barrett, Miguel, Tan, & Hurd, 2001).…”

The psychometric properties of the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale

“…Zeidner et al (2004) further state that Ei also connects with several cutting-edge areas of psychological science, including the neuroscience of emotion, self-regulation theory, studies of meta-cognition, and the search for human cognitive abilities beyond 'traditional' academic intelligence. Given the core proposition that it is a combination of iQ and Ei that determines life success (Goleman, 1996), a question arises as to whether or not it is feasible to measure Ei (Dulewicz & higgs, 2000). Dulewicz and higgs (2000) state that in exploring the issue of whether it is possible to measure Ei or not, the literature tends to polarise.…”

“…Given the core proposition that it is a combination of iQ and Ei that determines life success (Goleman, 1996), a question arises as to whether or not it is feasible to measure Ei (Dulewicz & higgs, 2000). Dulewicz and higgs (2000) state that in exploring the issue of whether it is possible to measure Ei or not, the literature tends to polarise. According to Dulewicz and higgs (2000), there appears to be a dominant view that the somewhat complex and diverse nature of Ei works against its effective measurement.…”

“…Dulewicz and higgs (2000) state that in exploring the issue of whether it is possible to measure Ei or not, the literature tends to polarise. According to Dulewicz and higgs (2000), there appears to be a dominant view that the somewhat complex and diverse nature of Ei works against its effective measurement. Goleman stated in 1996 that no pencil and paper test existed that measures Ei.…”

The relationship between personality preferences, self-esteem and emotional competence

“…According to Dulewicz and Higgs (2000), the notion of emotional competence implies that someone who has higher emotional intelligence has certain abilities and competencies that another person might not have. Individuals with well-developed emotional intelligence abilities and competencies can both negotiate their way through interpersonal exchanges and regulate their emotional experiences in a variable and challenging socio-cultural environment.…”