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Emotional Intelligence: Toward Clarification of a Concept

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  • Cherniss, Cary

Abstract

There has been much confusion and controversy concerning the concept of emotional intelligence (EI). Three issues have been particularly bothersome. The first concerns the many conflicting definitions and models of EI. To address this issue, I propose that we distinguish between definitions and models and then adopt a single definition on which the major theorists already seem to agree. I further propose that we more clearly distinguish between EI and the related concept of emotional and social competence (ESC). The second issue that has generated concern is the question of how valid existing measures are. After reviewing the research on the psychometric properties of several popular tests, I conclude that although there is some support for many of them, they all have inherent limitations. We need to rely more on alternative measurement strategies that have been available for some time and also develop new measures that are more sensitive to context. The third area of contention concerns the significance of EI for outcomes such as job performance or leadership effectiveness. Recent research, not available to earlier critics, suggests that EI is positively associated with performance. However, certain ESCs are likely to be stronger predictors of performance than EI in many situations. Also, EI is likely to be more important in certain kinds of situations, such as those involving social interaction or significant levels of stress. Context makes a difference.

Suggested Citation

  • Cherniss, Cary, 2010. "Emotional Intelligence: Toward Clarification of a Concept," Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3(2), pages 110-126, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:inorps:v:3:y:2010:i:02:p:110-126_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Sarah Herpertz & Sophia Nizielski & Michael Hock & Astrid Schütz, 2016. "The Relevance of Emotional Intelligence in Personnel Selection for High Emotional Labor Jobs," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Akduman, Gülbeniz & Hatipoğlu, Zeynep & Yüksekbilgili, Zeki, 2014. "A Research about Emotional Intelligence on Generations," MPRA Paper 61397, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Asma Ibrahim Alotaibi & Nada Saleh Badawi, 2023. "Emotional Intelligence and Entrepreneurial Success: An Empirical Study of Entrepreneurs in the Saudi Market," Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Richtmann Publishing Ltd, vol. 12, May.
    4. Wafa Ismail Saud, 2019. "Emotional Intelligence and its Relationship to Academic Performance Among Saudi EFL Undergraduates," International Journal of Higher Education, Sciedu Press, vol. 8(6), pages 222-222, December.
    5. Oana Oprișan & George Bucăţa & Cosmin Tileagă, 2016. "The Role and Importance of the Manager in the Management Process," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(2), pages 378-382, February.
    6. Shoaib Shafique & Iram Naz, 2023. "A Mediating and Moderating Analysis of the Relationship Between Team Emotional Intelligence and Team Performance," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, February.
    7. Siping Wu & Xiaoshuang Zhu & Guoxiu Tian & Xiaowei Kang, 2023. "Exploring the Relationships between Pre-Service Preparation and Student Teachers’ Social-Emotional Competence in Teacher Education: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    8. Yesha Seth Dua, 2015. "Emotional Intelligence of Entrepreneurs and their Decision-making Style: Role of Vision," Jindal Journal of Business Research, , vol. 4(1-2), pages 101-114, June.
    9. Matthew Wood & Julie Fowlie, 2013. "Using community communicators to build trust and understanding between local councils and residents in the United Kingdom," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 28(6), pages 527-538, September.

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