Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUnderstanding the IQ vs. EQ DebateKey DifferencesHow IQ and EQ Are MeasuredWhich Is More Important?Impact of BiasImproving IQ and EQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Understanding the IQ vs. EQ Debate
Key Differences
How IQ and EQ Are Measured
Which Is More Important?
Impact of Bias
Improving IQ and EQ
Close
What’s more important in determining life success—book smarts or street smarts? This question gets at the heart of an important debate contrasting the relative importance of cognitive intelligence (IQ) andemotional intelligence(EQ).
Proponents of so-called “book smarts” might suggest that IQ plays the most critical role in determining how well people fare in life. Those who advocate for the importance of what might be called “street smarts” would instead suggest that EQ is even more important.
This article compares IQ vs. EQ and how the two are different. It also discusses how EQ is measured, potential biases that may exist, and what you can do to improve your EQ.
In his bookEmotional Intelligence, author and psychologist Daniel Goleman suggested that EQ (or emotional intelligence quotient) might actually be more important than IQ.Why? Some psychologists believe that standard measures ofintelligence(i.e. IQ scores) are too narrow and do not encompass the full range of human intelligence.
The psychologist Howard Gardner, for example, has suggested that intelligence is not simply a single general ability.Instead, he suggests that there are actuallymultiple intelligencesand that people may have strengths in a number of these areas.
Instead of focusing on a single,general intelligence, usually called the g factor, some experts believe that the ability to understand and express emotions can play equal, if not more important, role in how people fare in life.
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The Difference Between IQ and EQ
In order to understand how IQ and EQ are different, it is important to first look at what they measure and how they are assessed.
IQ
Intelligence quotient, or IQ, is a number used to express a person’s overall mental ability. This score is derived from a standardizedtest.
EQ
Emotional intelligencerefers to a person’s ability to perceive, control, evaluate, and express emotions.
Researchers such as John Mayer and Peter Salovey, as well as writers like Daniel Goleman, have helped shine a light on emotional intelligence, making it a hot topic in areas ranging from business management to education.EQ is centered on abilities such as:
Since the 1990s, emotional intelligence has gone from a semi-obscure concept found in academic journals to a popularly recognized term. You can no buy toys that claim to help boost emotional intelligence or enroll kids insocial and emotional learning(SEL) programs designed to teach emotional intelligence skills. Social and emotional learning is a curriculum requirement in some schools in the United States.
EQEmotional quotientMeasure of emotional competencyInvolves identifying, controlling, and using emotionsAffects motivation, empathy, relationships, self-awareness, and self-controlIQIntelligence quotientMeasure of cognitive abilitiesInvolves processing, knowledge, memory, and reasoningAffects academics, expertise, critical thinking, and logic
EQEmotional quotientMeasure of emotional competencyInvolves identifying, controlling, and using emotionsAffects motivation, empathy, relationships, self-awareness, and self-control
Emotional quotient
Measure of emotional competency
Involves identifying, controlling, and using emotions
Affects motivation, empathy, relationships, self-awareness, and self-control
IQIntelligence quotientMeasure of cognitive abilitiesInvolves processing, knowledge, memory, and reasoningAffects academics, expertise, critical thinking, and logic
Intelligence quotient
Measure of cognitive abilities
Involves processing, knowledge, memory, and reasoning
Affects academics, expertise, critical thinking, and logic
Signs of Low Emotional Intelligence
IQ and EQ also utlilize different assessments to measure these abilities. IQ tests first emerged to assess cognitive abilities in school children, while EQ tests have been introduced more recently to assess emotional abilities.
Measuring IQ
Several different IQ tests can be used. Some are designed for use with adults, while others are developed to measure IQ in children. Some of the most commonly used IQ tests include:
Measuring EQ
Several different assessments can be used to measure EQ. Some of these assessments are self-report tests in which people respond to questions about their own feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Some other tests involve having an observer rate another person’s abilities and behaviors.
Two tests that are commonly used to measure emotional intelligence are the:
There are also a number of different online self-assessments. While such tests are not diagnostic tools, they may help you get a general idea about your emotional abilities.
How Emotionally Intelligent Are You?
At one point in time, IQ was viewed as the primary determinant of success. People with high IQs were assumed to be destined for a life of accomplishment and achievement, and researchers debated whether intelligence was the product of genes or the environment (thenature versus nurture debate).
However, some critics began to realize that high intelligence was no guarantee for success in life. It was also perhaps too narrow a concept to fully encompass the wide range of human abilities and knowledge.
IQ is still recognized as an important element of success, particularly when it comes to academic achievement.People with high IQstypically to do well in school, often earn more money, and tend to be healthier in general.
But today experts recognize that IQ is not the only determinant of life success. Instead, it is part of a complex array of influences—one that includes emotional intelligence. Many companies now mandate emotional intelligence training and use EQ tests as part of the hiring process.
Research has found that individuals with strongleadershippotential also tend to be more emotionally intelligent, suggesting that a high EQ is an important quality for business leaders and managers.
Emotional abilities can also influence consumers' choices when confronted with buying decisions. Nobel-prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman found that people would rather deal with a person they trust and like than someone they do not, even if that means paying more for an inferior product.
The Impact of Bias
The validity of IQ tests has long been questioned. While these tests often purport to evaluate inherent mental abilities, factors such as nutrition, educational quality, socioeconomic status, health status, and motivation levels can all affect people’s IQ scores. Research also indicates that IQ tests are often biased against certain groups of people, including Black and Hispanic Americans.
Recap
Can IQ and EQ Be Improved?
If emotional intelligence is so important, can it be taught or strengthened? According to research on the effects of social and emotional learning programs, the answer to that question is an unequivocal yes.
One study found that kids enrolled in SEL programs had better achievement scores.These programs were also linked to lower suspension rates, increased school attendance, and reduced disciplinary problems.
And while IQ was once thought to be set in stone, it is now believed that it is a capacity that can be improved and strengthened.
Improving IQ
Some ways to boost your IQ include:
Improving EQ
Strategies that can help strengthen EQ include the following:
Strategies for teaching emotional intelligence include character education, modeling positive behaviors, encouraging people to think about how others are feeling, and finding ways to be more empathetic toward others.
A Word From Verywell
Life success is a result of many factors. Both IQ and EQ play roles in overall success, as well as health, wellness, and happiness. Rather than focusing on which factors have a more dominant influence, the greatest benefit may lie in learning to improve skills in multiple areas. In addition to strengthening cognitive abilities, such asmemoryandmental focus, you can also acquire and improve social and emotional skills.
13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Goleman D.Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Random House; 2012.Drigas AS, Papoutsi C.A new layered model on emotional intelligence.Behav Sci (Basel).2018;8(5). doi:10.3390/bs8050045Richardson K, Norgate SH.Does IQ really predict job performance?.Appl Dev Sci.2015;19(3):153-169. doi:10.1080/10888691.2014.983635Srivastava K.Emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness.Ind Psychiatry J.2013;22(2):97-9. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132912Rupande G.The impact of emotional intelligence on student learning.IJMSR. 2015;3(9):133-136.Reynolds C, Altmann R, Allen D.The problem of bias in psychological assessment.Mastering Modern Psychol Test. 2021;1621:573-613. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59455-8_15Gardner KJ, Qualter P, Whiteley H.Developmental correlates of emotional intelligence: Temperament, family environment and childhood trauma.Australian Journal of Psychology. 2011;63(2):75-82. doi:10.1111/j.1742-9536.2011.00010.xHart S C, DiPerna JC, Lei P-W, Cheng W.Nothing lost, something gained? Impact of a universal social-emotional learning program on future state test performance.Educational Researcher. 2020;49(1):5–19. doi:10.3102/0013189X19898721Snyder F, Flay B, Vuchinich S, et al.Impact of a social-emotional and character development program on school-level indicators of academic achievement, absenteeism, and disciplinary outcomes: A matched-pair, cluster randomized, controlled trial.J Res Educ Eff. 2010;3(1):26-55. doi:10.1080/19345740903353436Stankov L, Lee J.We can boost IQ: Revisiting Kvashchev’s experiment.J Intell. 2020;8(4):41. doi:10.3390/jintelligence8040041Fissler P, Küster OC, Loy LS, et al.Jigsaw Puzzles as Cognitive Enrichment (PACE) - the effect of solving jigsaw puzzles on global visuospatial cognition in adults 50 years of age and older: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Trials. 2017;18(1):415. doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2151-9Cassidy S, Roche B, Colbert D, Stewart I, Grey IM.A relational frame skills training intervention to increase general intelligence and scholastic aptitude.Learning and Individual Differences. 2016;47:222-235. doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2016.03.001Wong PCM, Ou J, Pang CWY, et al.Language training leads to global cognitive improvement in older adults: a preliminary study.J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2019;62(7):2411-2424. doi:10.1044/2019_JSLHR-L-18-0321
13 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Goleman D.Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Random House; 2012.Drigas AS, Papoutsi C.A new layered model on emotional intelligence.Behav Sci (Basel).2018;8(5). doi:10.3390/bs8050045Richardson K, Norgate SH.Does IQ really predict job performance?.Appl Dev Sci.2015;19(3):153-169. doi:10.1080/10888691.2014.983635Srivastava K.Emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness.Ind Psychiatry J.2013;22(2):97-9. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132912Rupande G.The impact of emotional intelligence on student learning.IJMSR. 2015;3(9):133-136.Reynolds C, Altmann R, Allen D.The problem of bias in psychological assessment.Mastering Modern Psychol Test. 2021;1621:573-613. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59455-8_15Gardner KJ, Qualter P, Whiteley H.Developmental correlates of emotional intelligence: Temperament, family environment and childhood trauma.Australian Journal of Psychology. 2011;63(2):75-82. doi:10.1111/j.1742-9536.2011.00010.xHart S C, DiPerna JC, Lei P-W, Cheng W.Nothing lost, something gained? Impact of a universal social-emotional learning program on future state test performance.Educational Researcher. 2020;49(1):5–19. doi:10.3102/0013189X19898721Snyder F, Flay B, Vuchinich S, et al.Impact of a social-emotional and character development program on school-level indicators of academic achievement, absenteeism, and disciplinary outcomes: A matched-pair, cluster randomized, controlled trial.J Res Educ Eff. 2010;3(1):26-55. doi:10.1080/19345740903353436Stankov L, Lee J.We can boost IQ: Revisiting Kvashchev’s experiment.J Intell. 2020;8(4):41. doi:10.3390/jintelligence8040041Fissler P, Küster OC, Loy LS, et al.Jigsaw Puzzles as Cognitive Enrichment (PACE) - the effect of solving jigsaw puzzles on global visuospatial cognition in adults 50 years of age and older: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Trials. 2017;18(1):415. doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2151-9Cassidy S, Roche B, Colbert D, Stewart I, Grey IM.A relational frame skills training intervention to increase general intelligence and scholastic aptitude.Learning and Individual Differences. 2016;47:222-235. doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2016.03.001Wong PCM, Ou J, Pang CWY, et al.Language training leads to global cognitive improvement in older adults: a preliminary study.J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2019;62(7):2411-2424. doi:10.1044/2019_JSLHR-L-18-0321
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Goleman D.Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Random House; 2012.Drigas AS, Papoutsi C.A new layered model on emotional intelligence.Behav Sci (Basel).2018;8(5). doi:10.3390/bs8050045Richardson K, Norgate SH.Does IQ really predict job performance?.Appl Dev Sci.2015;19(3):153-169. doi:10.1080/10888691.2014.983635Srivastava K.Emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness.Ind Psychiatry J.2013;22(2):97-9. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132912Rupande G.The impact of emotional intelligence on student learning.IJMSR. 2015;3(9):133-136.Reynolds C, Altmann R, Allen D.The problem of bias in psychological assessment.Mastering Modern Psychol Test. 2021;1621:573-613. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59455-8_15Gardner KJ, Qualter P, Whiteley H.Developmental correlates of emotional intelligence: Temperament, family environment and childhood trauma.Australian Journal of Psychology. 2011;63(2):75-82. doi:10.1111/j.1742-9536.2011.00010.xHart S C, DiPerna JC, Lei P-W, Cheng W.Nothing lost, something gained? Impact of a universal social-emotional learning program on future state test performance.Educational Researcher. 2020;49(1):5–19. doi:10.3102/0013189X19898721Snyder F, Flay B, Vuchinich S, et al.Impact of a social-emotional and character development program on school-level indicators of academic achievement, absenteeism, and disciplinary outcomes: A matched-pair, cluster randomized, controlled trial.J Res Educ Eff. 2010;3(1):26-55. doi:10.1080/19345740903353436Stankov L, Lee J.We can boost IQ: Revisiting Kvashchev’s experiment.J Intell. 2020;8(4):41. doi:10.3390/jintelligence8040041Fissler P, Küster OC, Loy LS, et al.Jigsaw Puzzles as Cognitive Enrichment (PACE) - the effect of solving jigsaw puzzles on global visuospatial cognition in adults 50 years of age and older: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Trials. 2017;18(1):415. doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2151-9Cassidy S, Roche B, Colbert D, Stewart I, Grey IM.A relational frame skills training intervention to increase general intelligence and scholastic aptitude.Learning and Individual Differences. 2016;47:222-235. doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2016.03.001Wong PCM, Ou J, Pang CWY, et al.Language training leads to global cognitive improvement in older adults: a preliminary study.J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2019;62(7):2411-2424. doi:10.1044/2019_JSLHR-L-18-0321
Goleman D.Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Random House; 2012.
Drigas AS, Papoutsi C.A new layered model on emotional intelligence.Behav Sci (Basel).2018;8(5). doi:10.3390/bs8050045
Richardson K, Norgate SH.Does IQ really predict job performance?.Appl Dev Sci.2015;19(3):153-169. doi:10.1080/10888691.2014.983635
Srivastava K.Emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness.Ind Psychiatry J.2013;22(2):97-9. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.132912
Rupande G.The impact of emotional intelligence on student learning.IJMSR. 2015;3(9):133-136.
Reynolds C, Altmann R, Allen D.The problem of bias in psychological assessment.Mastering Modern Psychol Test. 2021;1621:573-613. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59455-8_15
Gardner KJ, Qualter P, Whiteley H.Developmental correlates of emotional intelligence: Temperament, family environment and childhood trauma.Australian Journal of Psychology. 2011;63(2):75-82. doi:10.1111/j.1742-9536.2011.00010.x
Hart S C, DiPerna JC, Lei P-W, Cheng W.Nothing lost, something gained? Impact of a universal social-emotional learning program on future state test performance.Educational Researcher. 2020;49(1):5–19. doi:10.3102/0013189X19898721
Snyder F, Flay B, Vuchinich S, et al.Impact of a social-emotional and character development program on school-level indicators of academic achievement, absenteeism, and disciplinary outcomes: A matched-pair, cluster randomized, controlled trial.J Res Educ Eff. 2010;3(1):26-55. doi:10.1080/19345740903353436
Stankov L, Lee J.We can boost IQ: Revisiting Kvashchev’s experiment.J Intell. 2020;8(4):41. doi:10.3390/jintelligence8040041
Fissler P, Küster OC, Loy LS, et al.Jigsaw Puzzles as Cognitive Enrichment (PACE) - the effect of solving jigsaw puzzles on global visuospatial cognition in adults 50 years of age and older: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Trials. 2017;18(1):415. doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2151-9
Cassidy S, Roche B, Colbert D, Stewart I, Grey IM.A relational frame skills training intervention to increase general intelligence and scholastic aptitude.Learning and Individual Differences. 2016;47:222-235. doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2016.03.001
Wong PCM, Ou J, Pang CWY, et al.Language training leads to global cognitive improvement in older adults: a preliminary study.J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2019;62(7):2411-2424. doi:10.1044/2019_JSLHR-L-18-0321
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