What are the types of emotional intelligence that exist?

The human being has tried toevolve rationally, but has realized that many of his decisions have changed or have been able to change the course ofthe history of humanity, which has carried a strong emotional component and that is whyemotional intelligence arises.

In the following article, we will explain whatemotional intelligence consists of, what its types are and we will describe its main characteristics.

What is emotional intelligence?

The term emotional intelligence was first used in a doctoral paper entitled “A Study of Emotions: The Development of Emotional Intelligence.” Some time later, an American psychologist and journalist namedDaniel Goleman(1) beganthe study and theorization of emotional intelligence. (2)

You should know: This concept of emotional intelligence is about the ability tounderstand what we feel and learn to manageit so that it leads us to the results we seek, that is, the ability to consciously balance the waywe express ouremotionsand that of others.

What are the types of emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence according toHoward Gardner(3), has two elementary typesand is based on the “Theory of Multiple Intelligences”(4), which we mention below:

1. Intrapersonal intelligence

Intrapersonal intelligence refers to the knowledge of theinternal aspects of a person, in itself it constitutes access to one’s own emotional life, to one’s own range of feeling, the ability to differentiate some emotions and resort to themas a means of interpreting and guiding one’s own behavior.

Note: At this point it is appropriate to use introspection as a strategy to carry out an evaluation, in this case on the internal emotions that affect us the most and lead us to reflect on them.

2. Interpersonal intelligence

Interpersonal intelligence refers to the capacity that some people develop to understand and work with others , to know and work on their emotions and feelings, to be able to differentiate them and help to differentiate them.

However, it is necessary at this point to have achieved one’s own intrapersonal intelligence to achieve a connection or empathy with others. (5)

Important: Recognizing the emotions and feelings of others helps us to strengthen interpersonal relationships.

What are the components of emotional intelligence?

The psychologist Daniel Goleman is his study of emotional intelligence, describes five components, which we mention below:

1. Self-awareness

Self-awareness is the ability of human beings to identify in which areas we are strong and in which areas we are weak, also to understand how to behave and relate to the environment, with the aim of capitalizing on strengths and minimizing weaknesses, which corresponds to a skill of analytical people and rational people .

and we really know what capacities we have to face the environment.

2. Self-control

Self-control or self-regulation is related to self-awareness , but more specifically describes the Ability to control emotions , whether negative or positive, in order to maintain a behavior more appropriate to professional practice and daily activity. (7)

In this sense, self-control helps us to balance and improve our state of mental health , including that of others, and it is a behavior regulated by the rational brain , typical of the analytical personality and the cold personality .

You should know: We must remember that a large part of our decisions , good or bad, can carry an emotional charge.

3. Motivation

Perhaps this is one of the Most important componentsof emotional intelligence, and it is that if there is no personal and collective motivation, the world completely comes to a standstill. That is why we must always havea constant inspiration and that inspiration must be externalized to others so that it serves as a stimulus.

For this reason, emotional intelligence Can motivate us, gives us the ability to insist even if we see a path full of obstacles, have control of our own impulses , regulate our state of mind and the way we perceive stimuli.

Important: Academic work has confirmed the interrelationship between emotional intelligence, motivation and learning . (8)

4. Empathy

For Goleman, empathy describes an intuitive understanding of the needs of others and the ability to effectively communicate that understanding to someone.

In this context, when there is empathy, people feel that they that they are respected , Considered , and that their emotional demands can be understood from another perspective.

Note: It has been described that the emotional brain is one of the main responsible for the development of our empathic capacity. (9)

5. Social skills

Another aspect that is especially relevant in emotional intelligence is comprised of social skills, and that is that we as individuals have little chance of developing without the intervention of the people around us.

Therefore, taking into account empathy, self-control, motivation and self-awareness, we will be able to develop social skills that will allow us to integrate into society for personal and collective development.

Important: Social skills include aspects such as respect, communication, patience, open-mindedness, compassion, positivism, Assertiveness , among others. (10)

Key Findings

• Emotional intelligence refers to the knowledge of the internal aspects of the individual.
• Emotional intelligence is about the capacity or ability to understand what we feel and learn to manage it.
• Emotional intelligence also includes the ability to consciously balance the way we Express Our Emotions and those of others.
• Emotional intelligence is divided into two types: Interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence.
• The types of emotional intelligence contain aspects that can define an analytical or cold personality.