Emotional Intelligence

This article presents a framework for emotiolllJl intelligenCl!, a set of skills hypothesized to contribute to the accurate appraisal and expression of emotion in oneself and in others, the effective regulation of emotion in self and others, and the use of feelings to motivate, plan, and achieve in one's life. We start by reviewing the debate about the adaptive versus maladaptive qualities of emotion. We then explore the literature on intelligence, and especiaUy social intelligence. to examine the place of emotion in traditional intelligence conceptions. A framework for integrating the research on emotion-related snUs Is then described. Next, we review the components of emotional intelligence. To conclude the review. the role of emotional intelligence in mental health is discussed and avenues for further investigation are suggested. Is "emotional intelligence" 8 contradiction in terms? One tradition in Western thought has viewed emotions as disorganized interruptions of mental activity, so potentially disruptive that they must be controlled. Writing in the first century B.C., Publilius Syrus stated, "Rule your feelings, lest your feelings rule you" [1}. More recently, in psychology, Young defmed emotions as "acute disturbance[s] of the individual as a whole" [2, p. 263] , and modem introductory texts described emotion as "8 disorganized response, largely visceral, resulting from the lack of an effective adjustment" [3, p. 505] . In this view, pure emotion is seen as causing a "complete loss of cerebral control" and containing no "trace of conscious purpose" [4, pA57 -458} . In this vein, Woodworth suggested that a scale to measure IQ should contain tests demonstrating not being afraid, angry, grieved, or inquisitive over things that arouse the emotions of younger children [5] .