Selective attention to emotional stimuli: What IQ and openness do, and emotional intelligence does not

Abstract

We examined how general intelligence, personality, and emotional intelligence-measured as an ability using the MSCEIT-predicted performance on a selective-attention task requiring participants to ignore distracting emotion information. We used a visual prime in which participants saw a pair of faces depicting emotions; their task was to focus on one of the faces (the target) while ignoring the other (the distractor). Next, participants categorized a string of letters (word or nonword), which was either congruent to the target or the distractor. The speed of response to categorizing the string was recorded. Given the emotional nature of the stimuli and the emotional information processing involved in the task, we were surprised to see that none of the MSCEIT branches predicted performance. However, general intelligence and openness to experience reduced response time.Keywords: selective attention, emotional intelligence, intelligence, personality, MSCEIT, emotion processes, lexical decision task, inhibition. 3 Research Highlights• We modeled emotional intelligence, personality, and general intelligence as predictors of performance in an emotional task requiring selective attention• We used an errors-in-variables specification to correct for measurement error in the predictors • Scores on the ability EI test (MSCEIT) did not show any association with performance in the selective attention task, casting doubt on the construct validity of the MSCEIT• General intelligence and Openness to Experience speeded up correct answers.4

The Neurobiological Basis and Potential Modification of Emotional Intelligence through Affective / Behavioral Training

“…Moreover, given the distinction intelligence theorists have made between fluid (Gf) and crystallized intelligence (Gc), fruitful findings may also emerge from future research examining the relationship between EI and Gf versus Gc. Previous findings have suggested a relationship between the MSCEIT and both Gf (e.g., Di Fabio & Palazzeschi, 2009;Fiori & Antonakis, 2012) and Gc (Mayer, Roberts, et al, 2008). As well, within our own dataset, we found significant correlations between the MSCEIT and variables arguably tapping Gf (MSCEIT-WASI [Performance IQ] r =.43) and Gc (MSCEIT-WASI [vocabulary subtest] r = .542).…”

The association between emotional intelligence and entrepreneurship as a career choice: A study on university students in South Africa

“…This implies that, instead of attempting to measure it as either of the two, it would be more valid to use both ability and trait measures or alternatively develop an independent measure that does not lie within the two restrictions. This viewpoint is backed by Fiori and Antonakis (2012), who conclude that what poses concern when the construct is measured as either a trait or ability is that there is much overlap with existing personality traits, to the extent of becoming redundant. It is imperative to consider the approach that looks at emotional intelligence as an ability as more theoretically apt when compared to the trait approach (Boyle et al, 2015;Fiori & Antonakis, 2012).…”

“…This viewpoint is backed by Fiori and Antonakis (2012), who conclude that what poses concern when the construct is measured as either a trait or ability is that there is much overlap with existing personality traits, to the extent of becoming redundant. It is imperative to consider the approach that looks at emotional intelligence as an ability as more theoretically apt when compared to the trait approach (Boyle et al, 2015;Fiori & Antonakis, 2012). Nonetheless, Walter et al (2012) proposed that emotional intelligence should not replace already known predictors of leadership and performance; rather, it should complement them and as such deserves consideration.…”

Neural mechanism of facial expression perception in intellectually gifted adolescents

“…The scientific investigation of the relationship between general intelligence and social-emotional abilities can be dated back to Terman [2], and Spearman's psychometric theory of intelligence believes that there are at least modest correlations between general intelligence and an individual's social-emotional abilities [3]. Many empirical studies also indicate that general intelligence quotient (IQ) is associated with social-emotional abilities [4][5][6][7][8]. Fiori and Antonakis [4] found that general intelligence could predict participant's faster responses during selective attention on emotional stimuli, which suggests that general intelligence is essential for performance involving emotional activation.…”

“…Many empirical studies also indicate that general intelligence quotient (IQ) is associated with social-emotional abilities [4][5][6][7][8]. Fiori and Antonakis [4] found that general intelligence could predict participant's faster responses during selective attention on emotional stimuli, which suggests that general intelligence is essential for performance involving emotional activation. Zeidner et al [8] observed that academically gifted adolescents had better emotional abilities relative to non-gifted adolescents.…”