Defining intelligence

Although Daniel Goleman popularised the notion of ‘emotional intelligence’ (EI) in 1995, ideas around how people might recognise, discern and use their emotions and those of others to guide their thinking and behaviour have circulated since the 1920’s.

The concept of EI has developed as a way to understand why people act and behave in the way that they do in life and work. It can include, for example, insights into how people lead, why people get into conflict and what helps or hinders employee motivation and trust in others.

In examining potential definitions, Steptoe-Warren (2013: 123) speaks of:

‘an individual’s ability to perceive, control and evaluate emotions’

Your task

Based on what you have learned so far, can you think of a public figure who is emotionally intelligent?

In the community of practice in the comments area, name the public figure you have chosen and outline three of their attributes.

References

_{Steptoe-Warren, G. (2013) Occupational Psychology: An Applied Approach. Harlow: Pearson}

_{Zeidner, M., Matthews, G., and Roberts, R. D. (2009) What We Know About Emotional Intelligence: How It Affects Learning, Work, Relationships, And Our Mental Health. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press}

Further reading

_{Gardner, H. (1983) Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books}

_{Goleman, D. (1995) Emotional Intelligence. New York: Bantam Books}

_{Mayer, J. D., Salovey, P., and Caruso, D. R. (2004) ‘Emotional Intelligence: Theory, Findings and Implications’. Psychological Enquiry 15, 197-215}