Performance-based ability emotional intelligence benefits working memory capacity during performance on hot tasks

Abstract

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to perceive, use, understand, and regulate emotions. Higher scores on this ability measured through performance tests (but no through self-reports) appears to be related to better performance on "hot" (emotionally laden) cognitive tasks. However, there are relatively few studies concerning how EI may benefit the working memory capacity (WMC). Thus, the objective of this study is to analyse the relationship between EI (as measured through a performance-based ability test, a self-report mixed test, and a self-report ability test) and the WMC during the performance of hot and "cool" (i.e., non-emotionally laden) "2-back" tasks. 203 participants completed three EI tests as well as two 2-back tasks. The results provide evidence for better performance of higher EI participants (specifically in the managing branch) measured through the performance-based ability test, but only on the hot task. For the self-report mixed model, incongruent results were found, and no correlations were obtained using the self-report ability model. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the validity of the various EI models.