Module 8: Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence

More Than One Kind of Intelligence

You may have heard people mention IQ when talking about intellect and how smart someone is. IQ stands for

"intellectual quotient."

It can help predict how well someone may do academically.

There are many other kinds of intelligence besides IQ, such as:

• Spatial intelligence: The ability to think in 3D.
• Musical intelligence: The ability to recognize rhythm, cadence, and tone.
• Other types of intelligence include athletic, artistic, and mechanical abilities.

Emotional Intelligence

One important type of intelligence is Emotional Intelligence (also known as

EQ or EI

).

A high EQ can predict success in social and emotional situations. It helps build strong relationships, make good decisions, and deal with difficult situations. Some studies suggest that

EQ may be more important than IQ

in school or work success.

Improving Your EQ

Emotional Intelligence is a combination of several different skills, including:

Being Aware of Your Emotions

We experience many emotions throughout the day, some lasting for seconds and others creating moods like happiness or sadness. The most basic EQ skill is to

notice and label emotions

as they occur. For example, think to yourself:

"I feel grateful" or "I feel frustrated."

Making it a habit to recognize emotions helps manage them better and understand others.

Understanding How Others Feel and Why

Part of EQ is being able to imagine how others might feel in certain situations. This is called

empathy

. It helps us care for others, build good relationships, and understand how to behave around someone with strong emotions.

Managing Emotional Reactions

Everyone feels emotions like anger or disappointment. But EQ involves

knowing when, where, and how to express emotions

appropriately. Reacting impulsively or disrespectfully can harm relationships, so managing emotional reactions is crucial.

Choosing Your Mood

Moods last longer than emotions. EQ allows us to choose the right mood for a situation, like getting motivated, concentrating, or persevering instead of giving up. People with good EQ recognize they can

control their mood

by choosing which is best for the moment.

Introduction to Emotions

Emotions are what we feel inside when things happen. They are also known as

feelings

. Below are some common emotions:

• Afraid: Feeling fear and worry.
• Angry: Feeling mad with a person, act, or idea.
• Ashamed: Feeling bad after doing something wrong.
• Confident: Feeling capable of doing something.
• Confused: Feeling unable to think clearly.
• Depressed: Feeling sad, discouraged, or unhappy.
• Embarrassed: Feeling worried about what others think.
• Energetic: Feeling full of energy.
• Excited: Feeling happy and aroused.
• Glad: Feeling joy and pleasure.
• Jealous: Feeling upset when someone has something you desire.
• Lonely: Feeling alone and uncared for.
• Proud: Feeling pleased for doing well.
• Relaxed: Feeling calm and at ease.
• Stressed: Feeling tense, tired, or overwhelmed.