Tracing the History of Emotional Intelligence
Introduction: The Origins of a Transformative Concept
The history of emotional intelligence is a compelling journey that merges psychology, education, and human development. While the term “emotional intelligence” (EI or EQ) rose to popularity in the 1990s, its foundational ideas date back to early 20th-century theories on social and personal intelligence. Today, emotional intelligence is widely recognized as essential for success in education, leadership, relationships, and mental well-being.
Early Foundations: From Social to Personal Intelligence
The roots of emotional intelligence can be traced to Edward Thorndike in 1920, who introduced the concept of social intelligence the ability to understand and manage people. This idea laid the groundwork for understanding human behavior beyond IQ.
In the 1940s, psychologist David Wechsler, known for his intelligence tests, emphasized the role of “non-intellective” factors like affective and personal capacities in determining intelligence. He argued that these emotional elements played a key role in how individuals navigate life and relationships.
Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
A major milestone in the history of emotional intelligence came with Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences in 1983. Gardner challenged the conventional view of intelligence as purely cognitive. Among the intelligences he proposed were intrapersonal intelligence (understanding oneself) and interpersonal intelligence (understanding others), both critical components of what would later be framed as emotional intelligence.
Gardner’s work was influential in expanding educators’ and psychologists’ understanding of intelligence to include emotional and social domains.
Salovey and Mayer: Defining Emotional Intelligence
The term emotional intelligence was formally introduced in 1990 by Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer. They defined it as “the ability to monitor one’s own and others’ feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use this information to guide one’s thinking and actions.” Their academic work provided a structured framework and marked the start of emotional intelligence as a field of research.
Salovey and Mayer identified four key branches of EI:
Perceiving emotions
Using emotions to facilitate thought
Understanding emotions
Managing emotions
Their scientific approach grounded emotional intelligence in cognitive psychology, setting the stage for further exploration.
Daniel Goleman: Popularizing Emotional Intelligence
In 1995, Daniel Goleman published his best-selling book Emotional Intelligence, which brought the concept to mainstream audiences. Goleman expanded Salovey and Mayer’s model to include a broader range of emotional and social competencies relevant to the workplace and personal success.
His model includes:
Self-awareness
Self-regulation
Motivation
Empathy
Social skills
Goleman’s accessible writing and strong media presence helped solidify emotional intelligence as a vital skillset, especially in leadership, business, and education.
Emotional Intelligence in Modern Education and Psychology
Since the early 2000s, emotional intelligence has become an integral part of educational and organizational development. Programs like the RULER approach from Yale University and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks in schools have incorporated EI principles to improve student behavior, academic outcomes, and emotional well-being.
Research continues to evolve, linking emotional intelligence with mental health, workplace performance, conflict resolution, and interpersonal relationships. It is now considered a key 21st-century skill by educators and employers alike.
From Theory to Practice
The history of emotional intelligence illustrates a shift in how we define intelligence from a narrow focus on cognition to a more holistic understanding of human capability. What began as abstract theories in psychology has grown into a practical framework embraced across disciplines. Emotional intelligence is no longer a soft skill it’s a core component of personal and professional success.
Learn more about the Understanding the Key Components of Emotional Intelligence