Emotional intelligence is a new concept developed by Dr John Mayer and Dr Peter Salovey (1990) from

American University. However, it was popularised by American Psychologist Daniel Goleman (1995).

Emotional intelligence is defined as “one’s ability to know, feel and judge emotions in cooperation with a
person’s thinking process for behaving in a proper way, with ultimate realisation of happiness in him and
in others”.

Like general intelligence, emotional intelligence is also developed in a person by birth. Normal
development of emotion leads to healthy life, but too much variation in emotional level damages the
individual’s life.

The level of emotion in a person is called Emotional Quotient (EQ). This can be obtained by using
emotional intelligence tests, same way as we assess the IQ of a person.

The success of a person in his job or profession depends not only on his IQ, but also on his EQ. The nurse
with high emotional quotient can identify and perceive her emotions and of others like patients easily
through face reading, bodily language, voice tone, etc.

She can have a proper understanding of the nature, intensity and outcomes of her emotions. High EQ
also helps the nurse to exercise proper control and regulation over the expression and use of emotions
in dealing with her and others, so as to promote harmony and peace.