Emotional intelligence and adolescents
Introduction
Intelligence is the capacity to engage in valid, abstract reasoning in relation to an area of information. In the realm of emotions, intelligence involves understanding the general nature of emotions, the meanings of individual emotions and the capacity to uncover similarities and differences among emotions. How human beings develop emotionally is of core importance in building good interpersonal relationships. Scientific studies have suggested that emotional intelligence helps a person to become successful in life. Hence developing high emotional intelligence is essential for an adolescent to excel in future life.
What is emotional intelligence?
According to Daniel Goleman, “emotional intelligence is a master aptitude, a capacity that profoundly affects all other abilities, either facilitating or interfering with them”. The term emotional intelligence encompasses the following five characteristics and abilities:
1. Self awareness
2. Self management
3. Self motivation
4. Empathy
5. Social skills
These competencies are measured in determining the emotional quotient (EQ) of and individual.
Why adolescents need high emotional intelligence?
Adolescents who are academically brilliant may sometimes be socially and interpersonally inept. Despite possessing a high IQ, success may not automatically follow. But by increasing the emotional quotients, the adolescents can become more productive and successful at what they do and they can also help others to become more productive and successful too. High emotional intelligence will definitely help an adolescent to reduce stress by decreasing conflict, improving relationships and understanding.
Emotional intelligence and success in academic performance
Research suggests that emotional health is fundamental to effective learning. The most critical element for a student’s success in school is an understanding of how to learn. Some key ingredients for this understanding are – confidence, self control, capacity to communicate and ability to co-operate. These traits are all aspects of emotional intelligence. An intelligent adolescent who is self aware and intrinsically motivated will definitely have very high academic performance. Adolescents with high emotional intelligence will also have good relationship with teachers and parents which also help them to perform well in their examinations. Students with good EQ will not have conflicts with peer group and are not likely to use drugs or alcohol.
Conclusion
Emotional intelligence enables the adolescent to develop very good interpersonal relationships and to have better social support. It is a highly desirable and personally valuable attribute to possess. Through life skills training and scientific guidance, we can improve the emotional intelligence of adolescents and thus we can lead them towards a very successful future life.