The Fakability of Bar-On’s Emotional Quotient Inventory Short Form: Catch Me if You Can

This study investigated the fakability of the Emotional Quotient Inventory Short Form (EQ-i:S), a mixed-model emotional intelligence test developed by Bar-On (2002). A sample of 229 undergraduate students from a southeastern university completed a battery of selection and assessment measures in both an honest and faking good condition. When responded to honestly, the EQ-i:S is predicted by The Big Five with a multiple correlation of .79. Therefore, the EQ-i:S can be viewed as an aggregation of The Big Five constructs. When faking, respondents were able to improve scores on the EQ-i:S, each of its subtests, and each of The Big Five measures. Respondents improved scores on the EQ-i:S by .83 SD. Faking on the EQ-i:S was primarily predicted by cognitive ability and agreeableness. The relative ease with which respondents can substantially raise their scores limits the value of the EQ-i:S as an applicant screening tool. The substantial extent to which the EQ-i:S is predicted by The Big Five casts doubt on the construct of emotional intelligence as operationalized in the EQ-i:S.