1. Which, if any, is more important in your opinion and why: Cognitive Intelligence (IQ) or Emotional Intelligence (EI)

You may be wondering what's the importance of a blog post about emotional and cognitive intelligence is? I feel it's very important as we experience both forms of intelligence throughout our lives, but which one is more important?? Both are forms of intelligence come under the category of general knowledge.

Cognitive Intelligence:

According to Kaplan & Sadock (1991) cognitive intelligence is 'The ability to learn new things, recall information, think rationally, apply knowledge, and solve problems'.  This intelligence can also be called intelligence quotient (IQ), this measures a person's intelligence. There are various tests to measure your IQ levels and the category your IQ level fits into.  Below is an image of what Albert Einstein's IQ would have looked like. 

(IQ Test: 2009)

Many theorists in recent years argue there are more parts to intelligence, for example Howard Gardner (1983) came up with a theory that there are multiple forms of development, he identified 7 intelligences. I feel that emotional intelligence is the most important as in my experience it's something we need to help deal with different situations.   

Emotional Intelligence:

Emotional Intelligence according to Bar-On (2007) is “To effectively understand and express ourselves,to understand and relate well with others, and to successfully cope with daily demands, challenges and pressures”. Emotional intelligence can be classed as either high or low.  According to Stys & Brown (2004) Higher EI has been found to be the reason of people's life satisfaction and Lower El can often be linked to violent behaviour.  

Stys & Brown (2004) state the 3 models of emotional intelligence

• John Mayer model
• Bar-On model
• Daniel Goleman model

In my opinion the Bar-On model is interesting, this model consists of 5 scales

• Intrapersonal Skills  (self-awareness and self-expression)
• Interpersonal Skills (social awareness and interaction)
• Adaptability  (change management)
• Stress Management (emotional management and control)
• General Mood (self motivation)   

Each of the skills contains a total of 15 sub-scales which describe skills of effective emotional intelligence. These can be seen below (click to enlarge) 

(S.A Journal of Industrial Psychology: 2009)

 Reference List 

Bar-On, R. (2007) 'A broad definition of emotional-social intelligence according to the Bar-On model' [online] Available at: http://www.reuvenbaron.org/bar-on-model/essay.php?i=2 [accessed 1 December 2012]

Gadomski, A. (2001) 'Cognitive Intelligence is one of ill defined concepts'  [online] Available at: http://erg4146.casaccia.enea.it/cog-intel.htm [accessed 30 November 2012]

Oregan technology in education council. (nd) 'theories of Intelligence' [online] Available at: http://otec.uoregon.edu/intelligence.htm [accessed 30 November 2012]

IQ Test. (2009) 'IQ Test' [image online] Available at: http://www.free-iqtest.net/iq-score-guide.asp

[accessed 4 December 2012]

S.A Journal of Industrial Psychology. (2009) 'Relationship between emotional intelligence and stress management' [image online] Available at: http://www.scielo.org.za/img/revistas/sajip/v35n1/a05fig01.gif [accessed 3 December 2012]

Stys, Y, Brown, S. (2004) ' A Review of the Emotional Intelligence Literature and Implications for Corrections [online] Available at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/reports/r150/r150_e.pdf [accessed 30 November 2012]