The 7 Types Of Emotional Intelligence And Their Functions
Emotional Intelligence is the ability that allows us to understand our own emotions and those of others, as well as being able to adapt to different situations.
There are different types of Emotional Intelligence, and different psychologists have made different classifications of it. We will take into account whether the ability to understand emotions refers to oneself (personal) or to other subjects (interpersonal) and whether it is linked to stress management, adaptive skills or a positive mood.
Emotional intelligence (EI), a concept first introduced by psychologists Peter Salovey and John Mayer in the 1990s and later popularized by Daniel Goleman, refers to the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and influence emotions in ourselves and others. While the traditional model of emotional intelligence consists of five core competencies, there are nuances in how these abilities manifest, and additional factors are often considered when evaluating one’s emotional intelligence.
In this article, we explore the seven main types of emotional intelligence and their functions.
The assessment of intelligence has been evolving and developing over the years. At first, only general intelligence or that linked to the knowledge we acquired in the academic field was taken into account. But subsequently the range of skills involved has been expanded, taking into account other types of intelligence that are also important for the lives of the subjects, as is the case of Emotional Intelligence.
Emotional Intelligence was first described by Peter Salovey and John Mayer, although the concept was developed by psychologist Daniel Goleman. This intelligence is defined as the ability to recognize and understand one’s own emotions and those of others It allows us to identify and distinguish different emotions, to use the information, sensations, that emotions produce in us to act or think in a certain way.
In short, Emotional Intelligence allows us to better adapt to our environment, since it gives us information, makes us aware of how the people around us feel and how we feel. Thus making it easier for us to live in harmony and act in a way more appropriate to the situation.
Components of emotional intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is made up of 5 components. That is, there are 5 factors that are linked to Emotional Intelligence and that are present in subjects who stand out for this type of intelligence. Let’s see what they are and how each one is defined.
1. Emotional Self-Awareness
Emotional self-awareness refers to the ability that some subjects have to know themselves to identify and recognize their emotions and be aware of what they are feeling at each moment, how their emotional state may vary.
As the name indicates, the emotional self-regulation component refers to the ability that some people show to control their emotions. They are able to repress the impulse to act if they know that this action will affect other people or themselves. Thus, It does not mean repressing our emotions but knowing how to modulate them so that these benefit us and do not affect us negatively.
3. Empathy
Empathy is the ability that allows us to understand the emotional state of the people around us and go further, putting ourselves in their place. We not only identify how you feel, but we understand and understand why you feel that way Thus, this understanding gives us the possibility of acting in a more appropriate way, more in line with the situation, to try to achieve better communication with the other person, so that they feel understood.
4. Motivation
Motivation is a fundamental state for the correct performance of people, so that they remain active and continue to progress and develop. Stay motivated, with goals that we want to achieve, allows us to show greater effort to adapt to new situations Having goals is what helps us move forward, fighting for what we want.
5. Social skills
Social skills are essential to be able to establish appropriate relationships with other people In this way, the ability to emotionally understand others is also linked to greater development of social skills.
Types of Emotional Intelligence
1. Self-Awareness
Function: Understanding Your Emotions
Self-awareness is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. It refers to the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts, behaviors, and decisions. Individuals who are self-aware are in tune with their emotional state and can discern when and why they feel a certain way. They also tend to understand how their emotions impact others.
Importance in Life: Self-awareness provides a foundation for personal growth and emotional regulation. It enhances decision-making, interpersonal relationships, and coping strategies for stress.
Application in Real Life:
Recognizing the source of your emotions allows you to address them appropriately.
Helps in managing emotional reactions by allowing individuals to step back and assess how they feel before taking action.
2. Self-Regulation
Function: Managing Your Emotions
Self-regulation is the ability to manage and control one’s emotions in healthy ways. It involves staying calm and composed in stressful situations, avoiding impulsive reactions, and demonstrating emotional resilience in the face of adversity. Self-regulation allows for thoughtful responses rather than knee-jerk reactions.
Importance in Life: People with strong self-regulation are able to remain calm and focused, even when confronted with conflict or emotional turmoil. This contributes to better mental health, healthier relationships, and improved problem-solving skills.
Application in Real Life:
Not lashing out in anger during a heated argument.
Practicing mindfulness to keep negative emotions in check and maintaining a positive outlook.
3. Motivation
Function: Channeling Emotions Towards Goals
Motivation, in the context of emotional intelligence, refers to the ability to harness emotions to pursue goals with energy, persistence, and resilience. This type of emotional intelligence involves a high degree of self-motivation and an intrinsic drive to achieve personal and professional objectives, often independent of external rewards.
Importance in Life: Motivated individuals are often more successful, as they are driven by passion and purpose. Their ability to sustain effort over time contributes to long-term achievements.
Application in Real Life:
Maintaining enthusiasm and focus on long-term projects, even when faced with setbacks.
Pushing through challenges by staying connected to your deeper purpose and values.
Function: Understanding and Sharing the Feelings of Others
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the emotions of others. It involves being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, perceiving their emotional state, and responding appropriately. Empathy is an essential component of building strong interpersonal relationships, as it helps people to connect on a deeper level and communicate more effectively.
Importance in Life: Empathy promotes compassion, strengthens relationships, and fosters a sense of mutual respect. It enhances communication and creates a supportive social environment.
Application in Real Life:
Listening actively to others, reflecting back their feelings without judgment.
Recognizing emotional cues such as body language or tone of voice that indicate a person’s emotional state.
5. Social Skills
Function: Navigating and Managing Social Interactions
Social skills involve the ability to build and maintain relationships, communicate effectively, and manage social dynamics. This type of emotional intelligence encompasses a variety of interpersonal abilities, including effective communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration. Individuals with strong social skills excel in social settings and can easily establish trust and rapport with others.
Importance in Life: Social skills are crucial for effective teamwork, conflict management, and maintaining a harmonious social life. They enable individuals to navigate complex social networks and collaborate successfully in various environments.
Application in Real Life:
Communicating clearly in group settings, ensuring everyone feels heard.
Managing disagreements constructively by focusing on solutions rather than personal attacks.
6. Emotional Expression
Function: Effectively Communicating Emotions
Emotional expression refers to the ability to convey your emotions in a way that is appropriate and understandable to others. It involves both verbal and non-verbal communication and helps others understand your emotional needs and responses. People with high emotional expression can communicate their feelings openly while being mindful of context and others’ feelings.
Importance in Life: This competency helps avoid misunderstandings and strengthens personal relationships by promoting open communication. It is also critical for resolving conflicts and expressing vulnerability in a constructive way.
Application in Real Life:
Sharing your emotions with close friends or family members in a way that is honest but considerate.
Being open about feelings like stress or frustration, which can help prevent emotional isolation.
7. Emotional Resilience
Function: Recovering from Adversity
Emotional resilience is the ability to recover quickly from setbacks, adversity, or difficult emotional experiences. This type of emotional intelligence involves maintaining a positive outlook, adapting to challenges, and using difficult experiences as opportunities for growth. Resilient individuals are able to maintain emotional stability even in turbulent situations.
Importance in Life: Resilience helps individuals cope with stress, bounce back from failures, and persist in the face of challenges. It is a critical trait for mental well-being and long-term success.
Application in Real Life:
Recovering from a job loss by staying optimistic and proactive in seeking new opportunities.
Bouncing back after a personal setback, using it as motivation to keep moving forward.
How to train and enhance Emotional Intelligence
Although there are people who show greater Emotional Intelligence than others, this ability can be trained and enhanced. There are some activities that we can do in our daily lives that can be useful.
1. Write down the positive things that have happened to you
Sometimes we are not aware of the good that happens to us, since we focus only on our concerns. To more easily recognize positive events, it can help us to spend a few minutes a day writing down the good things that have happened to us.
2. Perform active and empathetic listening
When we talk to someone, it is not enough to hear what they tell us, it is necessary to listen and do so actively, which means going beyond what they communicate to us, itrying to understand the emotions and thoughts behind their speech
3. Express positive things
In today’s society it is less difficult for us to express what we don’t like about someone than to tell them what we do like. It is also important to communicate what we like about the other person, in this way we promote a better relationship and a better state of the other subject and ourselves.
4. Take time for yourself
An important element of Emotional Intelligence is self-awareness, knowing yourself. To achieve this purpose, it is essential that we dedicate time to ourselves to get to know ourselves. It is essential to know how we feel and to be able to reflect on why we feel this way
5. Stay motivated
Motivation is also necessary for the development of Emotional Intelligence. Set yourself the objectives, goals, that you want to achieve in order to stay active. It is advisable to set both long-term and short-term, more attainable goals.
FAQs about the 7 Types of Emotional Intelligence
What are the 7 types of emotional intelligence?
The 7 types of emotional intelligence include self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills, emotional expression, and emotional resilience. These types help individuals navigate their own emotions and relationships effectively.
How can I improve my emotional intelligence?
Improving emotional intelligence involves practices such as mindfulness, reflection, seeking feedback, practicing empathy, and focusing on emotional regulation. Each type of EI can be developed through consistent self-awareness and effort in everyday interactions.
Why is emotional intelligence important?
Emotional intelligence is important because it influences how we manage our behavior, interact with others, and make decisions. High emotional intelligence is associated with better mental health, improved relationships, and greater success in personal and professional life.
How do social skills fit into emotional intelligence?
Social skills are an essential component of emotional intelligence. They enable individuals to communicate effectively, manage conflicts, and collaborate with others. Social skills help build relationships, foster trust, and navigate social situations smoothly.
Can emotional intelligence be developed?
Yes, emotional intelligence can be developed through practice and self-reflection. By learning to manage emotions, increase empathy, and improve communication, individuals can enhance their emotional intelligence over time.
What role does empathy play in emotional intelligence?
Empathy is a key aspect of emotional intelligence as it enables individuals to understand and respond to others’ emotions. Empathetic individuals can create stronger connections with others, navigate social situations with sensitivity, and resolve conflicts effectively.
