on hold while it allows the processing of the information for a

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE more rational and effective response (Goleman, 1995).

Emotions are an encouragement to act, and a
While Daniel Goleman popularized emotional
tendency to do things. An emotion is an inner realization or
intelligence, the concept of emotional intelligence was first
feeling of, for example, joy, anger, fear, or sadness. It can
introduced by Peter Salovey, a psychologist from Yale
either occur spontaneously or can be caused by a certain
University who showed how intelligence can be brought to
situation. Our emotions often influence our actions or
our emotions. Later on, Salovey was joined by John Mayer, a
reactions.
psychologist from the University of New Hamopshire, in
The term emotional intelligence – also called formulating emotional intelligence.
emotional quotient or EQ – is the ability to manage feelings
Salovey identified five domains of emotional
so that they are expressed appropriately and effectively,
intelligence, namely:
enabling people to work together smoothly toward common
goals. EQ is a person’s ability to recognize and manage their 1. Knowing one’s emotions or self-awareness
emotions. Self-awareness brings with it the skill for
self-reflection. It is about a person who recognizes
In the best selling book written by Daniel Goleman,
an emotion being felt, and is able to verbalize it, by
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
saying, “I am experiencing anger” or “I am angry” at
(1995), the author presented the physiological process on
the peak of one’s rage.
how emotions occur. Goleman stated that “all emotions are,
in essence, impulses to act, the instant plan for handling life
2. Managing emotions
that evolution has instilled in us.”
Goleman points out that we often have very
Goleman defines emotional intelligence as “the little or no control when an emotion occurs and what
ability to motivate oneself and persist in the face of this emotion will be, but we can have control on how
frustrations, to control impulse and delay gratification, to long an emotion will last. For example is anger. To
regulate one’s mood and keep distress from swamping the Zillmann, anger is triggered by something that
ability to think, to empathize, and to hope.” endangers a person’s life or status, or even one’s
balance. It may be a symbolic threat to one’s dignity
By this, he traces the origins of emotions from and self-esteem, which happens when one is
human race’s survival instinct to sense, detect, assess, and act insulted or demeaned in front of other people.
on any threat to its life and survival. This instinct is also
known as the “flight or fight” response that animals and 3. Motivating oneself
humans alike are capable of doing when faced with danger. Research studies have shown that hope is a
major indicator of emotional intelligence. Hope is
As humans and animals in general have this
the element present when one is fighting some
instinctive nature for survival, it is only the human brain that
overwhelming anxiety, a defeastist attitude, or
was gifted with the capacity to process on an intellectual level
depression. Goleman points out that optimism is a
the emotions being experienced, validating the reality of the
great motivator, and like hope, it provides a person
danger, controlling the emotions being experienced, and
with expectations that things will turn out better or
acting accordingly given several options to choose from.
right, when faced with adversity.
Neuroscientists have agreed that there are parts of
the human brain primarily involved in the creation of 4. Recognizing emotions in others.
emotions, specifically the amygdala, the neocortex, and the The capacity to recognize the emotions in
frontal lobes. According to neuroscientist Dr. Joseph LeDoux other people is called empathy. According to
(1992), the amygdala has become the center of our actions, Goleman, the root cause of our capacity to
the emotional sentinel that can take control of our action empathize is self-awareness. If we recognize our
even before the neocortex could assess what to do. The own emotions and how these affect us, then it will
amygdala also keeps a memory bank of previous experiences be easier to recognize other people’s emotions as
related to emotions. well.
Empathy is important in maintaining
While the pre-frontal cortex controls emotions so we relationships as this also taps on the caring capacity
can deal better and more effectively with the situation, the of people.
amygdala acts on its own in pushing the other buttons for a In a research study conducted by Daniel
body response. Fortunately, the pre-frontal cortex can take Stern, a psychiatrist at the Cornell University School
control of the amygdala and modulate its impulses and puts it of Medicine, he found out that the capacity of an
 individual to empathize is linked in the individual’s dread, fright, terror; and in extreme phobia and
need for others to recognize and receive their panic
emotions and respond to them. Stern referred to 4. Enjoyment: happiness, joy, relief, contentment,
this as attunement. This means that if a person does bliss, delight, amusement, pride, sensual pressure,
not receive empathy from others, the tendency is thrill, rapture, gratification, satisfaction, euphoria,
not to have empathy for others as well. Empathy whimsy, ecstasy; and to its extreme, mania
also becomes the basis of a person’s set of moral 5. Love: acceptance, friendliness, trust, kindness,
principles that give rise to one’s ethics and values, affinity, devotion, adoration, infatuation, and agape
like compassion. 6. Surprise: shock, astonishment, amazement, and
wonder
5. Handling relationships 7. Disgust: contempt, disdain, scorn, abhorrence,
Emotional intelligence is also evident in the aversion, distaste, and revulsion
way we manage our relationships with others. 8. Shame: guilt, embarrassment, chagrin, remorse,
Howard Gardner, the proponent of multiple humiliation, regret, mortification, and contrition
intelligences, and his colleague, Thomas Hatch, came
It is often believed that Emotional Intelligence (EI) or
up with four components of social intelligence (or
also referred to as EQ (Emotional Quotient), is more
interpersonal intelligence). These are:
important in achieving success in one’s career or personal life
than IQ. While a high IQ is not a surefire element to one’s
 Organizing groups – a leadership skill
success, EQ has been identified as the foundation in
essential in mustering groups of people
developing important skills necessary for one’s success at
toward a common action.
work.
 Negotiating solutions – this talent to bring
people in conflict to talk and come up with Emotional intelligence is important as it directly
a solution is usually found among mediators affects:
of disputes.
 Personal connection – this is the talent  Physical and mental health – emotional intelligence
when empathy and connecting with equips one with tools in managing stress; and stress
another person’s emotions are manifested. which usually brings discomfort and illnesses, can be
Teachers usually have this natural tendency avoided.
to related to others.  Work performance – either in school, if you are still
 Social analysis - is the talent to step out of a a student, or at work, if you are already employed. EI
situation and objectively form insights helps in understanding people and situations more
about the way people feel and behave. objectively and with more understanding and
Therapists are gifted with this talent. compassion.
 Relationships – interpersonal relationships are
Robert Plutchik, another psychologist who theorized enhanced because emotions are expressed in a more
that emotions are multi-dimensional, or having various positive way, and with empathy, genuine caring is
intensities, identified these as: adoration, ecstasy, expressed and shared. EI also builds trust so that
anticipation, rage, disgust, grief, surprise, and fear. Each of conflicts are managed better.
these eight basic emotions have varying intensities, starting
with the most intense at the center of the circle with the COMPONENTS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
most intense colors, to the least intense of emotions within
that category. The construct encompasses several emotional skills
which include understanding emotions and using emotions to
On the other hand, Goleman also refers to eight enhance reasoning.
main families of emotions and their corresponding members:
The Mayer – Salovey model is a mental ability
1. Anger: fury, outrage, resentment, wrath, framework that focuses on emotions and thoughts
exasperation, indignation, vexation, acrimony, interaction. They defined emotional intelligence as the ability
animosity, annoyance, irritability, hostility; and to its to monitor one’s own and other people’s feelings, to
extremes, hatred, and violence. discriminate among them, and to use it to guide thinking and
2. Sadness: grief, sorrow, cheerlessness, gloom, actions.
melancholy, self-pity, loneliness, dejection, despair;
and in extreme, depression Teenagers should begin to learn the emotional skills
3. Fear: anxiety, apprehension, nervousness, concern, needed to manage stress and be sensitive and effective in
consternation, misgiving, wariness, qualm, edginess, relating with other people. These skills are EQ.
 Change Catalyst – ability to introduce new
ideas and lead others to a new direction.
Goleman model is also divided into four competency
Influence – ability to implement convincing
areas:
strategies with integrity through clear and
1) Self-awareness listening and communicating skills.
3 competencies:
Why is emotional intelligence so important for adolescents?
Emotional Self-awareness – where you can
interpret and identify your emotions as well Emotional intelligence help manages stress level and
as acknowledge their effect on your work make it more stable, thus increase participants’ life
performance and relation with others. satisfaction and happiness. Similar research describes a
Self-confidence – where you have a strong significantly positive relationship between emotional
and positive sense of self-worth. intelligence and life quality, and significantly negative
Accurate self-awareness – where you are relationship between emotional intelligence and depression.
aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Emotionally intelligent people adopt a flexible life pattern to
deal with failure and prevent being more open and assertive
2) Self-management in facing difficulties and intelligently developing better
5 competencies: abilities to create a happy life.
Self-control – ability to keep troublesome
The most important skills for Adolescents to learn
emotions and impulses under control.
as part of their EQ:
Adaptability – flexibility to adjust to
changing situations and overcome  Be aware of one’s emotions.
challenges.  Understand how others feel and why.
Transparency – which is to uphold  Manage emotional reactions.
standards of honesty, integrity and manage  Choose own moods.
yourself and responsibilities.
Initiative – the readiness to grave Practical ways to develop your Emotional Intelligence:
opportunities and act on the deed.
1. Observe how you react to people.
Achievement – guiding determination to
2. Look at your school setting.
attain internal standards of excellence.
3. Do a self-evaluation.
4. Be accountable for your actions.
3) Social awareness
5. Record your emotional response to events.
3 competencies:
6. Listen to your body.
Empathy – being sympathetic to others and
7. Monitor how your emotions and behaviour are
take an active concern in their problems.
linked.
Service orientation – acknowledging and
8. Refrain from judging your emotions.
granting customer’s needs.
9. Notice patterns in your emotional past.
Organizational awareness – ability to
10. Relate with other people.
interpret the flow of the company, build
11. Improve your empathy skills.
networks and sail across the politics.
12. Study people’s body language.
13. See the effect you have on others.
4) Relationship awareness
14. Practice being emotionally honest.
7 competencies:
15. Be more light-hearted at home and at school.
Visionary Leadership – you can inspire and
lead individuals and groups.
Conflict Management – you are able to
resolve disagreements and develop
resolutions.
Build Connections/Bonds – ability to further
and maintain a relationship with others.
Develop others – strengthen and support
abilities of others through feedback and
guidance.
Teamwork and Collaboration – encourage
cooperation and build teams.