Emotional Intelligence for All - Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on Emotional Intelligence for All.

Emotion

A mental state arising spontaneously with physiological changes, directed at someone or something, based on our perceptions.

Paul Ekman

Psychologist known for defining the defining characteristics of emotion: unbidden, quick onset, triggered by interpretations, and brief in duration.

Basic Emotions

Mad, Sad, Glad, Scared.

Positive Emotions

Excited, Happy, Relaxed, Calm.

Negative Emotions

Anxiety, Stress, Nervousness, Sad, Bored.

Sources of Emotions

Personality; day of the week & time of day; Weather; Social Activities; Stress; Sleep; Exercise; Age.

Emotional Labor

Organizationally desired emotions.

Emotional Dissonance

Inconsistencies between the emotions people feel and the emotions they project.

Emotional Intelligence (EI)

A person’s ability to perceive emotions in the self and others, understand their meaning, and regulate one’s emotions accordingly.

Perceive Emotions

Ability to recognize emotions in oneself and others.

Understand Emotions

Ability to interpret the meaning of emotions.

Regulate Emotions

Ability to manage and adjust one’s emotions.

Principles of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Self-Awareness; Emotions as the basic grammar of social interactions; Use emotions to inform decisions; Use emotions wisely in social context.

Aristotle - Principle of Moderation

We need all emotions to the right degree, at the right time, with the right people, toward the right end, and in the right way.

Why EQ is Important

Emotionally intelligent people: earn higher salaries, handle organizational politics better, experience lower anxiety and stress, communicate well, diffuse conflicts, have satisfying relationships; EQ is a strong predictor of performance.

Self-Awareness (Emotional Self-Awareness)

Ability to recognize one’s own emotions.

Emotions as Grammar of Social Interactions

Emotions are the basic mechanism that underpins and guides social interactions.

Emotions vs Moods vs Traits

Emotions are brief; moods are longer-lasting; traits are enduring personality characteristics.

Emotion (Definition in Notes)

Brief, multicomponent responses to challenges or opportunities important to your goals (work and social).

Key Components of Emotion

1) Physiological changes; 2) Mental experience (the story we tell about the experience); 3) Expression (face, voice, body).

Physiological Component

Any physical sensation or bodily change during emotion.

Mental Experience

The inner narrative or interpretation you tell yourself about the emotional event.

Expression

Outward display of emotion through face, voice, and body.

Interoception

The extent to which your conscious mind tracks bodily shifts (heart rate, breathing, blushing).

Anger (Emotion in the Body)

Increases blood pressure and heart rate; blood flows to the hands; readiness for action.

Fear (Emotion in the Body)

Elevated heart rate; blood stays in the chest; cold hands/feet; readiness to freeze or escape.

Disgust (Emotion in the Body)

Activation of digestive processes.

Blushing

Signal of embarrassment or a cue to correct an action.

The Chills

Feeling moved by witnessing something noble or inspiring core values.

Viktor E. Frankl

Psychologist who stated: Between stimulus and response there is a space; in that space lies our power to choose our response.

Between Stimulus and Response Space

There is a space to choose our response; in that choice lies growth and freedom.

Emotional Self-Awareness at Work

Attend to emotions, notice bodily sensations and thinking habits, expand emotional vocabulary, accept emotions, and gain perspective.