Tracing the Evolution of Emotional Intelligence in Education

Class Dismissed

In the fast-paced world we inhabit today, intelligence is no longer confined to the realm of IQ scores and academic prowess. An equally important aspect of personal development is emotional intelligence (EI). This term, now ubiquitous in discussions about personal growth and success, was traced back to a seminal 1990 article by Salovey and Mayer, which argued that emotions could be harnessed to enrich one’s life. However, Daniel Goleman truly popularized the concept in his groundbreaking book, “Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ,” published in 1995.

Contrary to traditional beliefs that emotions reside solely in the unconscious mind, Goleman emphasized that emotions are manageable and play a pivotal role in human behavior and decision-making. This paradigm shift led to a widespread recognition of the significance of emotional intelligence, prompting parents to prioritize fostering it in their children. Consequently, the realm of education witnessed the emergence of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs, underscoring the importance of teaching emotional intelligence in classrooms.

Emotional intelligence encompasses a range of skills, including recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating emotions.

In Episode 261 of Class Dismissed, we discuss the origins of Emotional Intelligence and highlight an article by Marc Brackett, from Yale University’s Center for Emotional Intelligence. Brackett advocates for educators to become adept at these skills themselves, serving as role models for young learners.

Brackett and his colleagues developed the RULER acronym to unpack emotional intelligence: Recognizing emotions, Understanding their causes and consequences, Labeling emotions, Expressing emotions appropriately, and Regulating emotions effectively.

Listen to episode 261 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast to learn more about EI and Brackett’s RULER acronym.

Show Links

Giving Educators Permission to Feel

How We Feel

All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017 – 2024.