History of Emotional Intelligence

The concept of emotional intelligence has its roots in the early 20th century, but it was not until the 1990s that it became widely popularized. Here is a brief history of emotional intelligence:

• Early research: In the early 1900s, psychologists such as Edward Thorndike and John Dewey proposed that intelligence involves more than just cognitive abilities. They suggested that social and emotional skills were also important for success in life.
• Development of the concept: The term “emotional intelligence” was first used by Peter Salovey and John Mayer in 1990. They defined emotional intelligence as “the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions.”
• Popularity: The concept of emotional intelligence gained widespread popularity after the publication of Daniel Goleman’s book “Emotional Intelligence” in 1995. Goleman argued that emotional intelligence was a better predictor of success than traditional measures of intelligence such as IQ.
• Research and criticism: Since the 1990s, there has been a significant amount of research on emotional intelligence, with some studies supporting the concept and others questioning its validity. Critics have argued that the concept is too vague and difficult to measure.
• Continued relevance: Despite the criticisms, the concept of emotional intelligence remains popular and continues to be studied in fields such as psychology, business, and education. Many experts believe that emotional intelligence is an important factor in personal and professional success.