The Assessment of Emotional Intelligence: A Comparison of Performance-Based and Self-Report Methodologies

Abstract

We assessed the patterns of convergent validity for the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2002), a performance-based measure of emotional intelligence (EI) that entails presenting problems thought to have correct responses, and a self-report measure of EI (Schutte et al., 1998). The relations between EI and demographic characteristics of a diverse community sample (N = 223) concurred with previous research. However, the performance-based and self-report scales were not related to one another. Only self-reported EI scores showed a consistent pattern of relations with self-reported coping styles and depressive affect, whereas the performance-based measure demonstrated stronger relations with age, education, and receiving psychotherapy. We discuss implications for the validity of these measures and their utility.

Coping mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and academic achievement

“…Matthews et al also found a small negative relationship with avoidance-focused coping (r = -.16). However, Goldenberg, Matheson, and Mantler (2006) found a positive relationship between problem-focused coping and the emotion management branch of the MSCEIT (with no significant relationship for the EI, Coping, and Academic Success 9 other branches). Bastian et al (2005) found no relationship between any of the MSCEIT branches and total scores on the COPE.…”

Connecting the Spiritual and Emotional Intelligences: Confirming an Intelligence Criterion and Assessing the Role of Empathy

“…In contrast, written self-report questionnaires can be used to determine one's perceived emotional intelligence, the score from which is often referred to as one's emotional quotient (EQ). Although some have interpreted the finding that selfreport measures of EQ are poorly related to performance tests (Brackett & Mayer, 2003;Goldenberg, Matheson, & Mantler, 2006) as suggesting a weakness in selfreports, this remains to be confirmed. Nevertheless, selfreport measures have proven valuable to researchers in their affordability and efficiency, as some studies simply cannot accommodate performance-based testing.…”

“…As was noted (King & DeCicco, 2009), no performance-based measure of spiritual intelligence currently exists. Although there is evidence to suggest that performance-based measures of intelligence are more valid than self-report measures (Brackett & Mayer, 2003;Goldenberg et al, 2006), too little is understood about spiritual intelligence to develop performance-based measures at this time. Indeed, such a task is reasonably easier when it comes to the verbal and mathematical abilities, for which objective criteria are well established.…”

Gender Differences in Perceptive Emotional Adjustment of Parents on Their Children’s Emotional Intelligence

“…Perhaps studies that claim the continued development of emotional understanding and regulation in adulthood (Chapman & Hayslip, 2006;Extremera, Fernández-Berrocal, & Salovey, 2006;Goldenberg, Matheson, & Mantler, 2006;Kafetsios, 2004;Van Rooy, Alonso, & Viswesuaran, 2005), could in some way justify this result. They point out that the ability to attend to and clarify emotions is developed first and later, over time, the emotional regulation is developed.…”