IQ vs. EQ Which One Is More Important

IQ vs. EQ Which One Is More Important Theories Cognitive Psychology Print Is IQ or EQ More Important? By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on July 01, 2019 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on December 06, 2019 More in Theories Cognitive Psychology Behavioral Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology Whats more important in determining life successâ€"book smarts or street smarts? This question gets at the heart of an important debate contrasting the relative importance of cognitive intelligence (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ). Proponents of the so-called book smarts might suggest that it is our IQ that plays the critical role in determining how well people fair in life. Those who advocate for the importance of what might be called street smarts would instead suggest that EQ is even more important. So which is it?  Illustration by Hugo Lin, Verywell Understanding the IQ vs. EQ Debate In his book  Emotional 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 of intelligence (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 actually multiple intelligences and that people may have strengths in a number of these areas. Instead of focusing on a single, general intelligence, usually referred to as the g factor, some experts believe that  the ability to understand and express emotions can play an equal if the not more important role in how people fare in life.?? The Difference Between IQ and EQ How are IQ and EQ measured and tested? Lets start by defining the two terms in order to understand what they mean and how they differ. IQ, or  intelligence quotient, is a number derived from a  standardized intelligence test. On the original IQ tests, scores were calculated by dividing the individuals mental age by his or her  chronological age  and then multiplying that number by 100. So, a child with a mental age of 15 and a chronological age of 10 would have an IQ of 150. Today,  scores on most IQ tests are calculated  by comparing the test takers score to the average scores of other people in the same age group. IQ represents abilities such as: Visual and spatial processingKnowledge of the worldFluid reasoningWorking memory and short-term memoryQuantitative reasoning EQ, on the other hand, is a measure of a persons level of  emotional intelligence. This refers to a persons 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: Identifying emotionsEvaluating how others feelControlling ones own emotionsPerceiving how others feelUsing emotions to facilitate social communicationRelating to others Since the 1990s, emotional intelligence has made the journey from a semi-obscure concept found in academic journals to a popularly recognized term. Today, you can buy toys that claim to help boost a childs emotional intelligence or enroll your kids in  social and emotional learning  (SEL) programs designed to teach  emotional intelligence skills.  In some schools in the United States, social and emotional learning is even a curriculum requirement. Which Is More Important? 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 (the old  nature versus nurture debate). However, some critics began to realize that not only was high intelligence 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 IQs  typically to do well in school, often earn more money, and tend to be healthier in general.?? But today experts recognize it is not the only determinate of life success. Instead, it is part of a complex array of influences that includes emotional intelligence among other things. The concept of emotional intelligence has had a strong impact in a number of areas, including the business world. Many companies now mandate  emotional intelligence  training and utilize EQ tests as part of the hiring process. Research has found that individuals with strong  leadership  potential also tend to be more emotionally intelligent, suggesting that a high EQ is an important quality for business leaders and managers to have.?? For example, one insurance company discovered that EQ could play a vital role in sales success. Sales agents who ranked lower on emotional intelligence abilities such as empathy, initiative, and self-confidence were found to sell policies with an average premium of $54,000. For comparison, those agents who ranked highly on measures of EQ sold policies worth an average of $114,000. Emotional abilities can also influence the choices that consumers make when confronted with buying decisions. Nobel-prize winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman has found that people would rather deal with a person that they trust and like rather than someone they do not, even if that means paying more for an inferior product.?? Can Emotional Intelligence Be Learned? So you might be wondering if emotional intelligence is so important, can it be taught or strengthened? According to one meta-analysis that looked at the results of social and emotional learning programs, the answer to that question is an unequivocal yes. The study found that approximately 50% of kids enrolled in SEL programs had better achievement scores and almost 40% showed improved grade-point-averages. These programs were also linked to lowered suspension rates, increased school attendance, and reduced disciplinary problems. Some strategies for teaching emotional intelligence include offering 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 undoubtedly play roles in influencing your overall success, as well as things such as health, wellness, and happiness. Rather than focusing on which factors might have a more dominant influence, the greatest benefit may lie in learning to improve skills in multiple areas. In addition to strengthening certain cognitive abilities, such as your memory and mental focus, you can also acquire new social and emotional skills that will serve you well in many different areas of your life.