Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups.

Emotional intelligence links strongly with concepts of love and spirituality, bringing compassion and humanity to work. It also bears strong bonding with ‘multiple intelligence’ theory which illustrates and measures the range of capabilities peoples possess and the fact that everyone has a value.

The scientific model of the emotional mind explains how so much of our deeds are given by emotions, how we can be reasonable at one moment and unreasonable the next, and the sense in which emotions have their own reasons and logic.

One of the best assessments of the emotional mind is given by Paul Ekman, head of the human Incisco.

Paul Ekman proposes that the quickness with which our emotions overtake us before we are of them is essential for them to adjust to our needs. When something occurs we have to react to it immediately and we hardly get time to think over it. Ekman found that on such occasions our emotions are reflected in our facial expressions and this happens in a half second.

Facial expressions change in less than a second and even physiological changes like increase in heart beat occur in a second. This is particularly true in the case of intense emotions like fear of a threat.

According to Ekman, the heat of emotion is very brief lasting for a few seconds only.

Ekman argues that if emotions seize the brain and body for a long time, unaffected by changing circumstances our feelings cannot guide us to action.If the cause of the emotion may continue as in the case of the loss of a loved one.

our emotions mobilize us to rise to the occasion in an emergency. Our intense emotions are involuntary reactions; we cannot predict when they will occur.

Ekman observes that people account for violent reactions on this ground, saying that they were in the grip of emotions then, and one cannot choose what emotion can leave.

Quick and slow paths to ‘emotions’

Emotions usually occur to us much faster than thoughts. Actions that arise from emotions have a sense of certainty which may puzzle the rational mind, which analyses the situation before springing into action.

Slow path to emotion is deliberate and we are aware of the thoughts leading to it.

The quick path to emotion is caused by immediate perception, the slow path follows reflective thought, the head keeping the heart under control.

Intentionally manipulated feelings comes from being hidden. Feelings come via thinking. Both quick and slow paths to emotions cannot be changed at our will as intentionally manipulated feelings can.

Emotional judo

Emotional judo is an effective strategy used for controlling an angry person. One distracts the angry person, empathizes with his feelings and views, and then draws his attention to something else that gives rise to some positive feeling in him.