How to Define Emotional Intelligence

Defining Emotional Intelligence: 
by Sgt. Vuzzo, Ph.D.

Emotional Intelligence can be defined by Goleman (1995) as the ability to accurately perceive emotions that take place in self and others, to identify different emotional responses, and to use emotional information to make intelligent decisions.

Thus, ones ability to perceive that around them accurately, express their emotions and generate appropriate feelings to those emotions along with the ability to regulate emotions and enhance ones growth emotionally.


Mayer & Salovey, the founding fathers of Emotional Intelligence have solidified the Four Branches of Emotional Intelligence;



Branch 1. Reflective regulation of emotions to promote emotional
and intellectual growth.

Branch 2. Understanding and analyzing emotions; employing
emotional knowledge.

Branch 3. Emotional facilitation of thinking.

Branch 4. Perception, appraisal, and expression of emotion.

This four branch model of emotional intelligence is centered on a person's skill in recognizing emotional information and then formulating abstract reasoning using the given emotional information.  By understanding Mayer & Salovey's Four Branches we can understand how Emotional Intelligence has been defined.

Would you add any other Branches to Mayer & Salovey's works?