Cainta Catholic College

High School Department

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Unit 2: Aspects of Personal Development

MODULE 8: Improving Emotional Intelligence

What is Emotional Intelligence?

- As defined by Daniel Goleman, a well-known Psychologist, it is a capacity that profoundly affects all other abilities, either
facilitating or interfering with them.
- It refers to one’s capacity to recognize, manage and evaluate emotions.

Goleman (1995) states that emotional intelligence guarantees success in life. Not
cognitive intelligence. He argues that people who are emotionally intelligent can be
depicted as being:

1. Adept in recognizing their own feelings. (Self-Awareness)

2. Skilled in regulating their emotions. (Self-Management)
3. Considerate of the emotional energies of other individuals. (Social Awareness)
4. Able to deal with the emotions of other people. (Social Skills)

These proficiencies identify the emotional quotient (EQ) of a person.

Emotional Quotient – measures the emotional intelligence of a person.

Components of Intense Feelings or Emotions

In order to have a full grasp of the nature of intense feelings, it is important to
become aware of these three elements:
1. Subjective – the manner by which people personally and internally relate with
emotion.
2. Physiological – bodily response to emotion.
3. Expressive – the way by which individuals respond to emotions.

These three elements of emotions can influence the role and meaning of emotional
reactions.

Emotions – can be classified as Positive or Negative and may come in varying intensities.
 Anger – irritation, rage, ire, wrath
 Love –affection, passion, fondness, devotion, adoration
 Shame – embarrassment, dishonor, indignity, disgrace
 Fear – dread, horror, panic, alarm, distress, fright
 Enjoyment – delight, amusement, satisfaction
 Sadness – unhappiness, melancholy, dejection, desolation
 Surprise – disbelief, marvel, incredulity

Purposes of Emotions
1. Emotions drive people into action.
2. Emotions help people to stay alive, flourish and be safe.
3. Emotions aid people in decision-making.
4. Emotions provide creative expressions for people to convey how they feel inside or what they are going through.
5. Emotions serve as tool to understand people.

Why do Adolescents need High Emotional Intelligence?

- Adolescence is the most tumultuous stage in terms of physical, cognitive, psychological and social adjustments that teenagers
go through. If they have an understanding of their own intense feelings and the capacity to manage them, they may be
able to cope better with the challenges during this transition stage. This capacity may lead to success and happiness.
Improving Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is a combination of several skills and here are some tips to improve it:

1. Be aware of one’s emotions.

- Recognize how you react to specific situations.
2. Understand how others feel and why.
- Practice ‘Empathy’, putting oneself in the shoes of other people; this prevents you from being judgmental and bias.
3. Manage emotional reactions.
- Before displaying emotions, it is best to think how such emotions will impact others and if it will bring adverse reactions.
4. Choose own moods.
- The choice of improving one’s emotional intelligence depends on YOU.

Prepared by:

Ms. Catherine V. Cerna, MGC, RGC, RPm

Personal Development Teacher