Institutional Affiliation
Emotional intelligence is the capacity to identify and manage self-reactions, as well as other people’s feelings and emotions, cultivating and using the material acquired to regulate one’s intelligence and actions (Salovey, Brackett, & Mayer, 2004). Emotions are viewed as designed reactions that cross different psychological subsystems, including cognitive, physiological and motivational systems. Emotions may arise internally or externally in response to an event that may positively or negatively affect an individual’s thinking capacity.
Emotional intelligence involves skills, aptitudes, cognitive and non-cognitive competencies that are directly connected to the actions and behaviors of other people. Individuals may experience mood on a reflective and a direct level. In a reflective experience, people have an access to knowledge concerning their own and others’ moods. This is a demonstration and capacity to observe, regulate and evaluate self-emotions and those of other individuals. The mood is an emotional state, but more intense and specific. Moods, although less and generally lasting longer than emotions should be regulated effectively and managed by people with emotionally intelligent skills. Moods can also be regulated by choosing one’s associates. An individual maintains positive and avoids negative moods by seeking information that affects them positively. Emotional intelligence also entails the ability of an individual to regulate and alter other people’s reaction. For example, an intelligent orator is likely to evoke strong reactions in an audience. Likewise, a job candidate who understands the contribution of behaviors such as neatness and promptness utilizes such skills in creating a favorable impression (Salovey, Brackett, & Mayer, 2004). Emotion intelligent people are in a position to enhance their own moods and those of others positively, and more so, those skills can be channeled antisocially to manipulate scenes leading others to negatives ends.
Mixed model and ability model are among the scientific model approach of emotional intelligence (Brackett, Rivers, & Salovey, 2011). In regards to Caruso’s ability model theory, emotional intelligence is viewed as standard intelligence with a series of emotions based on problem-solving and performance assessment that has a criterion of correctness. For example, a complex scoring algorithm determines the correct and wrong answers. The mixed model developed by Daniel Goleman is a model that defines emotional intelligence in regards to leadership performance. In the mixed model theory, natural characteristics are inherent to every individual, determining their potential achievements.
Emotional intelligence can be measured by self-judgment or self-report. Self-report is more appropriate and less costly because it can be administered easily, and may yield shorter period to control. In this test, individuals rate themselves according to their characteristics such as how they relate, display patience and handle stress. Nevertheless, they usually raise questions; whether or not individuals are mindful of their emotion abilities and if they respond truly to them. Self-report measures can be problematic when the respondents offer informally desired responses rather than honest opinions. Individuals differ in their ability to handle one’s own emotions, especially when solving problems, which is mostly influenced by moods and emotions. Future plans can be facilitated by mood swings because positive emotions alter memory consolidation so that cognitive material is integrated with diverse ideas appearing closely related. Emotional intelligence can be utilized to result in flexible planning, where mood swings assist when thinking of possible future outcomes. Individuals generate a significant number of future plans, positioning them to take advantage of future opportunities. An individual can direct attention to new problems when emotions occur. For example, a farmer undergoing divorce is likely to be diverted from work-related problems towards understanding his personal relations. Emotional intelligence is also utilized during creative thinking, enhancing persistence at challenging tasks and can be applied in prosaically or antisocially ways.
