What are the cognitive underpinnings of emotional intelligence?

The cognitive underpinnings of emotional intelligence include emotional awareness, emotional regulation, and cognitive empathy.

Emotional intelligence, often abbreviated as EI or EQ (Emotional Quotient), is the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions in positive ways. It is underpinned by several cognitive processes. The first of these is emotional awareness, which is the ability to recognise one's own emotions and those of others. This involves being able to identify different feelings and understand what these emotions are signalling. For example, recognising that a friend's silence might indicate that they are upset, or that a racing heart might signal anxiety.

The second cognitive underpinning of emotional intelligence is emotional regulation. This involves being able to manage and control one's own emotions, as well as influencing the emotions of others. Emotional regulation requires the ability to calm oneself down when upset or anxious, cheer oneself up when feeling down, and help others do the same. It also involves being able to delay gratification and control impulses, which are key aspects of self-discipline.

The third cognitive underpinning of emotional intelligence is cognitive empathy, which is the ability to understand the perspective of others. This involves being able to put oneself in someone else's shoes and see things from their point of view. Cognitive empathy requires a good understanding of human emotions and how they are triggered. It also involves being able to predict how others will react emotionally to certain situations.

In addition to these, emotional intelligence also involves the ability to use emotions to facilitate cognitive activities such as problem-solving and decision-making. This requires being able to harness emotions to focus attention, motivate action, and help think creatively. It also involves being able to use emotions to help understand and navigate social networks and relationships.

In summary, the cognitive underpinnings of emotional intelligence involve a complex interplay of emotional awareness, emotional regulation, cognitive empathy, and the use of emotions to facilitate cognitive activities. These cognitive processes enable individuals to manage their own emotions, understand the emotions of others, and use this understanding to guide their thoughts and actions.