Emotional Intelligence Assessment

Emotional Intelligence (EI) was formally introduced as a scientific concept by psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer in 1990. They defined it as 'the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions.'

Daniel Goleman's 1995 bestseller 'Emotional Intelligence' brought the concept to mainstream attention, arguing that EQ might matter more than IQ for success in life. While this claim was initially controversial, subsequent research has provided substantial support.

A 2010 meta-analysis published in Psychological Bulletin, examining 118 studies, found that emotional intelligence significantly predicts job performance beyond what cognitive ability and personality can explain. The effect was particularly strong for jobs requiring high emotional labor.

Recent neuroscience research has identified the neural circuits underlying emotional intelligence, including the interplay between the prefrontal cortex and limbic system. Studies show that EI can be developed through targeted training, with measurable changes in both behavior and brain function.