Emotional and general intelligence: Characteristics, meeting points and missing links

Abstract

Emotional and general intelligence are two entangled knots begging for careful and successful separation by scientists and researchers in the field of Psychology. Although the two constructs overlap and perform similar functions in our lives, they can be separated in terms of their assessment, conceptualization and characteristics. Chief proponents of emotional intelligence believe that it makes people better students, better employees, better managers, better soldiers etc. The above assertion suggests that overall emotional intelligence contributes to individual success in life over and above the level attributable to general intelligence. Although the debates generated by the introduction of emotional intelligence in the field of psychology have not been laid to rest, the author contends that an individual with optimum level of the two constructs will be more successful and better adjusted to life.