Emotional Intelligence: Theory, Concepts, and Principles

Emotional intelligence (EI) has varying definitions, but they all have one’s ability to perceive and understand emotions in common. Emotional intelligence (EI) can be defined as “the capacity to reason about emotions, and of emotions to enhance thinking” (Sadri, 2012). This includes the abilities to accurately recognize emotions, to access and cause emotions to assist though, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to regulate emotions to promote growth emotionally and intellectually (Sadri, 2012). It also refers to one’s ability to understand and relate to others. However, the most recent definition is “the ability, capacity, skill, or potential to feel, use, communicate, recognize, remember, describe, identify, learn from, manage, understand and explain emotions” (Assanova & McGuire, 2009).

Research has shown that emotional intelligence has a vital role in one’s job performance, motivation, decision making, etc. Emotional intelligence can also be effective when implemented in higher education by helping students improve their work ethic and feel more accomplished as individuals. Many believe that emotional intelligence is based on inherent abilities that can vary from individual to individual; however it is also believed that emotional intelligence can be taught and/or improved through training, programming, and therapy (Assanova & McGuire, 2009).

Understanding Human Behavior

The emotional intelligence theory has been attributed to a greater understanding of human behavior and the benefits that come with it. There are three main theories and models that were developed on emotional intelligence, as well as measures that also help us understand human behavior.

Being emotionally intelligent allows individuals to i...

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