It all began about 2,000 years ago when Plato wrote, “All learning has an emotional base.” Since then, scientists, educators, and philosophers have worked to prove or disprove the importance of feelings. Unfortunately, for a large part of those two millennia, common thought was, “Emotions are in the way. They keep us from making good decisions, and they keep us from focusing.” In the last three decades, a growing body of research is proving just the opposite.
Definitions and History of Emotional Intelligence
In the 1950’s, Abraham Maslow wrote about how people could enhance their emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental strengths. His work sparked the “Human Potential” movement which could be the greatest celebration of humanism since the Renaissance. In the 1970s and 80s this led to the development of many new sciences of human capacity. Serious research was occurring to define both emotions and intelligence. One of these researchers was Peter Salovey, now Provost and Professor at Yale University. He says that over the last few decades, beliefs about emotions and intelligence have both changed — where intelligence was once perfection, people were recognizing that there was more to life. Where emotion was once perdition, people were recognizing that it might have substantive value.
Is “Heart Over Head” Better than “Head Over Heart”?
There is ongoing discussion about the origins of “EQ,” but consensus is that the seminal publication was an article called “Emotional Intelligence” by Peter Salovey and John “Jack” Mayer in 1990. The article defined EQ as a scientifically testable “intelligence.” Salovey says he and Jack were equal coauthors, and he got his name first because of a coin toss. The team has gone on to publish numerous articles, and their definition of EQ has evolved to:
“Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions; to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought; to understand emotions and emotional knowledge; and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth.”
In other words, there are four parts:
1. Perceive or sense emotions,
2. Use emotions to assist thought,
3. Understand emotions,
4. Manage emotions.
As their colleague David Caruso wrote to me:
“It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence, it is not the triumph of heart over head — it is the unique intersection of both.”
Daniel Goleman: A Model for Teaching EQ
Daniel Goleman drew on the research of Salovey and Mayer, as well as several other key researchers and practitioners, for his bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence. In addition to the research, Goleman reviewed best practice in education. He wrote about two school programs, Six Seconds’ “Self-Science” and the New Haven Schools’ Social Development program. He also spoke with many “hard” science researchers and saw how their work connected with what was occurring on the leading edge in schools and organizations. (Here is an interview with Goleman where he discusses the origins.)
In 1997, Six Seconds’ team sought to take those best-practices and create a framework for teaching and practicing the skills of EQ. They went beyond the scientific definition to capture the practical value of the concepts that are worth teaching and learning. Six Seconds’ 1997 definition of emotional intelligence is, “The capacities to create optimal results in your relationships with yourself and others.” Later, I updated this to make it simply clear: “Being smarter with feelings.”
How Does Emotional Intelligence Become Practical?
Six Seconds also developed a model that captures those practices in three areas: “Know Yourself,” “Choose Yourself,” and “Give Yourself.,” with eight specific skills. Six Seconds’ approach mirrors David Caruso’s vision: The goal is to integrate thinking and feeling to live more effectively.
The Six Seconds Model is focused on action — within the three action steps, or “pursuits,” are eight learnable competencies. These are measured by Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Assessment, and there is proof that with training scores on these skills increase (see the research archive here).
To make emotional intelligence more practical, Six Seconds developed a “process framework,” a simple three-step action plan to actually USE emotional intelligence on a day-to-day basis:
- Tune in, get the data. This is called “Know Yourself.”
- Pause and reflect to respond (instead of reacting). This is called “Choose Yourself.”
- Step forward on purpose and with compassion. This is “Give Yourself.”
The Six Seconds Model is introduced here, and explained in detail in this article about the competencies of emotional intelligence.
Do Thoughts Create Feelings?
While the various models of emotional intelligence structure the concept differently, all are concerned with the integration of emotion, reason, and action. Where “pre-EQ theory” suggests that emotion is a byproduct of thought, the EQ models all point out that emotion is meaningful unto itself. Hence Six Seconds uses a triangle to show that thoughts, feelings, and actions are co-equally interlocking.
Another leading researcher whose work inspired both Goleman and Six Seconds was Antonio Damasio. In Descarte’s Error, Damasio outlines how emotions are functioning in the brain to create people’s sense of identity and guide rational decision making. He continues to discuss this work in The Feeling of What Happens, where he contends that our sense of being conscious comes from emotion.
The Neuroscience of Emotion
Damasio’s contributions provide powerful evidence that it is artificial to separate thinking and feeling. Other researchers would go further. Candace Pert was a leading neurobiologist who wrote Molecules of Emotion, the chief of the brain chemistry section of the NIH from 1982 to 1988, and then a professor at Johns Hopkins Medical School. Prior to her untimely death, Pert was working to apply her revolutionary findings to a new cure for cancer.
Pert’s perspective is that “thinking” occurs in the brain and the body. All kinds of “information” is processed throughout the body — ideas, feelings, and maybe even spiritual impulses. While the brain has the most processing power, it is not necessarily driving the system. Pert’s assertion is certainly a far cry from the notion that the “rational” brain is the center of human essence. (Here is an interview with Dr Pert on the neuroscience of emotion)
Can You Measure Emotional Intelligence?
So, what does it matter? While some researchers have focused on defining the skills of emotional intelligence, others have looked at the effects. There are now many powerful case studies showing the benefits of emotional intelligence.
Reuven Bar-On has been interested in non-cognitive competencies since the mid-1980s. He developed a test that measures people’s self-report of these competencies, a test that was re-branded by its publisher as EQ-i. Bar-On’s definition is: “Emotional intelligence is an array of noncognitive capabilities, competencies, and skills that influence one’s ability to succeed in coping with environmental demands and pressures.” Again similar to Six Seconds’ approach, Bar-On is interested in real-world behaviors.
Dr. Bar-On explains how his work is similar to and different from Salovey/Mayer’s: “We are both assuming a cognitive schemata and attempting to empirically demonstrate that this construct is not personality. They are relating primarily to a specific set of emotional abilities and a potential for behavior (emotional intelligence), while I am focusing on emotional and social functioning or behavior (emotionally and socially intelligent behavior).”
Another definition comes from Q-Metrics, the creators of the EQ Map. They say: “Emotional intelligence is the ability to sense, understand, and effectively apply the power and acumen of emotions as a source of human energy, information, trust, creativity and influence.” One key insight from this model is that having a capacity or skill is not enough to create real-world results.
Q-Metrics’ CEO, Esther Orioli, explains, “I know plenty of CEOs who have the skill to empathize or give positive support. They don’t do it. Why not? Because they just don’t think it important.” Orioli points out that when leaders see how certain behaviors create more positive results, they do change their values. “Values dictate how we spend our time and resources. If we teach people skills in a vacuum, without relating them to their value and belief system, there is no real benefit,” Orioli concludes.
One of the most current measurement tools is the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Assessment; it was built “from the ground up” for development. Focused on eight learnable competencies in a simple, clear model, the test provides insightful feedback and many development suggestions. The purpose is to assist people to enhance the way they use EQ skills in their leadership and life. A comparison of all these tests and more is online.
Scientific Progress on Emotions
While it’s been over 30 years since Salovey and Mayer published their original groundbreaking research on emotional intelligence, it’s still young in scientific terms. The science of “intelligence” was actively developed starting around 1900, and over 115 years later, we’re still defining basic intelligence. So no doubt the field of emotional intelligence will continue to develop.
Bar-On says the key is refining the research of development, effects, and assessment. He predicts we will also see, “A more clear connection between EI, individual/group performance, and group/organizational productivity. As a result of this activity, we will have a much more accurate and empirical view of what this construct is — and what it can and cannot do.”
Dr. Salovey offers a similar conclusion: “I agree with Dr. Bar-On. I think in the coming decade we will see well conducted research demonstrating that emotional skills and competencies predict positive outcomes at home with one’s family, in school, and at work. The real challenge is to show that emotional intelligence matters over-and-above psychological constructs that have been measured for decades like personality and IQ. I believe that emotional intelligence holds this promise.”
Comparison of EQ Models
All the models touch on understanding yourself, taking charge of yourself, and then applying that awareness and ability in your interactions with others.
Self-Awareness | Self-Management | Application | |
Mayer/Salovey | Perceive Understand |
Use | Manage |
BarOn | Intrapersonal | Adaptability Stress Management Mood |
Interpersonal |
Goleman | Self-Awareness | Self-Management | Other-Awareness Relationships |
Q-Metrics | Sense | Understand | Apply |
Six Seconds | Know Yourself |
Choose Yourself |
Give Yourself |
Last revised: May 25, 2017. This article first appeared in Six Seconds’ magazine: EQ Today, Nov 2002 by Joshua Freedman
I think it is very important to think before you speak. Say it in your head first.
Very interesting
Thanku. I’m interested in your EQ Model comparison table – which is very helpful. You have not mentioned the CASEL model at all, or the various links to Executive Functions. Can you advise?
Eric
vital article for new researchers………thanks
Is it possible to find the DOI of this article? I am not able to find it and would like to use this article as one of my sources
Thanks, Josh
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these posts.
I am a Research scholar and working in the field of Emotional Intelligence. I am interested in “Development of emotional Intelligence in prospective teachers through training” Can you guide me in this
Hi there! This article could not bee written much better!
Looking at this poet reminds me of my previous roommate! He coonstantly kept preaching about this.
I am going to forward this poist to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have
a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
That was a very interesting article. I have a presentation about emotional Intelligence and this article helps me to clarify my ideas giving some more inputs. Thank you Freedman.
The way that I describe emotions, especially to those that are more analytical, is that emotions are data. We have emotions constantly in every interaction, both intellectual and interpersonal. Using that data to inform how we will respond (vs. react) can unlock the roadblocks we constantly find ourselves up against. The secret, in my experience, is that we have to apply this, all of this, to ourselves before we can apply it outward. We cannot give something we do not possess. The gift is it is not a linear process, my experience has been that as you apply these principles to yourself, they naturally become a part of how we interact with others. It is a mindset, a practice, and takes mindfulness and self awareness. Overtime it becomes closer to a habit as we stengthen that muscle. Like exercise, it’s not always easy or fun but always yields results.
Great article! Can I use your article as a reference in our research?
Hi Josephine, yes, please feel free to quote from the article with attribution and that it’s from http://www.6seconds.org — thank you for asking!
Great article, explaining the different perspectives on EQ
Thank you Martin 🙂
EQ was being practiced by monks under the guise of Mindfulness quite a few centuries prior to Greece and Plato.
Excellent article!! Thanks for your contribution to a better world!!
Without some of the most emotional times of my life or the hardest of my decisions, I would not be where I am today…..
JC. Goleman
And my greatest “failures” have been when my emotions “got the better of me” and my cognitive intelligence failed as a result. I put the above in quotes since those episodes are also where I learned the most about myself. How many times can I say that a “purely cognitive decision” led to personal growth? Not nearly as many times as I can when reflecting upon how many times I have grown from an emotionally-charged event. Many thanks to the pioneers in this arena. I find this effort akin to our emerging from the Industrial Age to the Knowledge Age and into the Imagination Age. The better we synthesize our wholeness, the more human we will become.
Well said Jay!
Can anyone please provide me with the correct reference to David Caruso’s statement:: “It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence, it is not the triumph of heart over head — it is the unique intersection of both.”
Was it firts coined on internet, or from a book or article?
I did a ‘find’ on several articles and chapters for this statement and did not turn up any hits. While I could have missed something, or failed to search all publications, my guess is that I wrote this for Josh’s article. I’ll keep searching to see if I turn anything up. – David
Thanks David – it was awhile ago so my memory is a bit foggy, but I do recall interviewed you, Jack, and several other people specifically for this article, so maybe it’s an original Caruso-ism. 🙂
So the correct reference would be This article ?
Six Seconds’ magazine: EQ Today, Nov 2002 by Joshua Freedman
Hi Lisa:
So, you could search for Caruso’s quote to get original source, if you can find it. Otherwise, use a secondary citation: Caruso (as cited in Freedman, 2010).
The Freedman web article would go in your reference list as:
Freedman, J. (2010, January 26). Emotional what? Definitions and history of EQ. Retrieved from http://6seconds.org
/2010/01/26/emotional-intelligence-definition-history/#comment-4070
I don’t think I’d use the 2002 article as the original, since I don’t know where to find it and read it, and this one is more recent and you still get the quote you’re interested in.
Hope that helps.
Susan
I do agree that it is artificial to separate thinking and feeling. I think the 6 seconds model shows the importance of self-awareness before making choices and acting on them.