The Dark Side of Emotional Intelligence

Over 300 British adults completed the Hogan Development Survey (HDS) (Hogan & Hogan, 2001), a measure of the personality disorders and the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQi) (BarOn, 2004). Work associates known to the participants also completed an observers’ version of the EQi. The structures of both inventories were examined. The HDS factored into three clear factors (clusters A, B, C) confirming previous analyses while the EQi had a single factor structure. Cluster B disorders (labelled Moving Against People) were correlated negatively with the Stress scale on the EQi while Cluster A disorders (labelled Moving Away from People) were negatively correlated with Intrapersonal, Interpersonal and Mood subscale scores on the EQi. Regressions showed that Avoidant, Schizoid and Narcissistic disorders most consistently related to the self-reported EQi subscale scores. Interestingly Paranoia was positively correlated with the total and the Intrapersonal EQi scores. Participants tended to have higher self, compared to observer scores on the EQi. Only one regression was significant: participants with lower Borderline and Schizotypal scores were seen to be better at Stress management.