The diverse landscape of tools used to measure emotional intelligence in professionals
In short: Researchers who conducted a systematic review of 2,761 academic records identified 40 different instruments designed to measure emotional intelligence (EI) in professional settings. They found that these tools generally fall into three conceptual categories: skill-based, trait-based, and mixed models, each with its own unique psychometric properties.
Understanding how we measure the ability to manage emotions is crucial because EI may help protect workers from emotional burdens in their careers. The review analyzed various scales—such as the EQ-i and MSCEIT 2.0—to evaluate their reliability and validity across different research contexts.
The study was limited by its focus on a single database (Web of Science) and the inability to estimate inter-rater reliability, which means results may vary depending on how different researchers interpret the scores.
Why it matters: Because there is no single way to measure emotional intelligence, researchers must choose tools based on whether they view EI as a skill or a personality trait.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Source: Research: Luna et al. (2021). Emotional Intelligence Measures: A Systematic Review. Healthcare. · cc-by
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/society-research-the-diverse-landscape-of-tools-used-to-measure-emotional-int.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Society · Latest · A–Z · All topics
