Emotional intelligence as a predictor of success beyond IQ

Motivation

Emotional intelligence can be a better indicator and predictor of success than the intelligence quotient (IQ), according to Daniel Goleman of the Utne Reader. An emotional intelligence quotient, or EQ, indicates a person's level of empathy, among other traits. Emotional intelligence includes the kinds of "street smarts" that many geniuses lack. As Goleman notes in his article, "A high IQ may get you into Mensa, but it won't make you a mensch." Self-confidence, self-esteem, and motivation are also facets of emotional intelligence.

The web page at http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/motivate.html. offers "constructive suggestions regarding motivation." The Virginia Tech site, which is geared toward an audience of college students, includes a "Motivation Checklist." That includes such indicators as conflicts within interpersonal relationships that might be hindering one's motivation or drive to succeed. Students might also benefit from seeking counseling. The online article "Individual differences in motivation and performance" examines Broadbent's parameters of personality analysis, including "introversion-extraversion and stability-neuroticism." The author evaluates Broadbent's taxonomy in light of various theories of personality. The author also discusses "energetic arousal" as a function of motivation. The APA Online article edited by Davidson, et al. (2005) describes the journal Emotion. The peer-reviewed publication includes research and articles on various theories of emotion, from cognitive to behavioral.