History and Theories of Emotional Intelligence - Assignment Example

The paper "History and Theories of Emotional Intelligence" is a worthy example of an assignment on psychology. The four branches of emotional intelligence include perceiving emotions, understanding emotions, and managing emotions. Perceiving emotions is a model that deals with an individual’s ability to detect his/her emotions as well as the emotions of other people (Salovey & Grewal,2005). Understanding emotions is a model that deals with a person’s ability to understand emotions hidden in the language.

Using emotions is the model that deals with an individual’s ability to apply emotional intelligence in problem-solving and thinking as a way of harnessing the potential hidden in emotions (Cherniss,2010). Managing emotions is a model that deals with an individual’s ability to regulate his/her emotions as well as the emotions of other people in order to create a positive interactive environment.

Give a brief summary of each of the branches.

As stated in the sections above, perceiving emotions is the detection of emotions as presented through facial expressions, voice, cultural artifacts, and pictures. Perceiving emotions is therefore the basic step in emotional intelligence because the reaction of an individual towards others and himself depends on the perceived emotions (Cherniss,2010). For example, a harsh voice can be an indication of bitterness in a person.

The second branch of emotional intelligence is using emotions. Using emotions means harnessing emotions in order to facilitate various skills such as problem-solving and thinking.

For instance, a sad mood (sad emotions) can be used to solve methodical problems while a happy mood can be used to think creatively and innovatively.

Understanding emotions means being capable of differentiating between different moods expressed through the voice, facial expressions, or even language. For example, understanding emotions can help differentiate between when a person is happy or sad (Cherniss, 2010).

Managing emotions is the most important aspect of emotional intelligence because well-managed emotions help prevent conflicts in the workplace or in any given setting.