One popular idea in recent years has been âemotional intelligence.â In contrast to traditional views of intelligence, theories of emotional intelligence which are seen as an alternative to traditional theories of intelligence that focus solely on cognition. Creators of IQ tests based on traditional theories of intelligence (like IQ test) acknowledge that their tests do not cover the emotional components of decision making and thinking. This has led to an opening for other scientists to create tests to measure multiple intelligence, many of which are informally called âEQ tests.â
Like IQ tests, there are a variety of EQ tests available to people interested in measuring emotional intelligence. Itâs not feasible to describe every one, but here are some of the most popular EQ tests:
The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT): This is a test created by the worldâs leading emotional intelligence theorists. It aligns with their definition of emotional intelligence as being âthe capacity to reason, understand, and manage emotions. In addition, emotional intelligence plausibly reflects the emotion system's capacity to use emotion to enhance thought." In their theory, emotional intelligence is an ability that helps people (1) perceive emotions accurately, (2) make decisions with the assistance of their emotions, (3) understand emotions in themselves and others, and (4) manage their emotions. The MSCEIT aligns very closely with this theory and is designed to provide scores for the different aspects of emotional intelligence. The Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SREIT): This test asks respondents to report how their own competence in the different areas of emotional intelligence, such as using emotions in problem solving, or regulating their own emotions.
The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue): This is a test that measures a personâs emotional well-being, self-control, their level of emotional expression and emotionality, and sociability.
The Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS): This is another self-report test that captures a personâs perceived ability to pay attention to their feelings, regulate their mood and emotions, and show clarity of their emotions.
What the âsomethingâ is that EQ tests measure is up for debate. The testsâ creators and proponents say that the tests measure emotional intelligence. Others are not so sure. One problem is that there is a lot of overlap with personality tests. This is unsurprising; like most personality tests, the SREIT, TEIQue, and TIMMS are self-report scales that ask someone to state how much different statements describe them (e.g., âI feel sorry for other people in distressâ).
The MSCEIT does not have this problem because it is scored with a key that was created by experts or through the consensus of many respondents. This makes it function more like an IQ test with âcorrectâ and âincorrectâ answers (though the âcorrectâ answers are not always objectively correct the way they are on an IQ test). The MSCEIT requires more problem solving and decision making from its examinees than other EQ tests. This may be why it correlates with IQ, though. As a result, it is possible that people are using their general intelligence to respond to MSCEIT items, instead of their emotional intelligence.
