The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Education

 

Did you know that emotional intelligence and motivation play crucial roles in education?

While rational intelligence is important, it’s not enough for academic and personal success. Emotional intelligence challenges the traditional view of intelligence, recognizing the importance of understanding and managing emotions in educational contexts.

Emotions are triggered by both our internal needs and external events, making them an integral part of the learning process. But what exactly is emotional intelligence?

There are two main models of emotional intelligence: the “skills model” and the “mixed model.” These models emphasize different aspects, such as identifying and understanding emotions and effectively managing them.

Intrinsic motivation, the motivation that comes from within, is key for deep and lasting learning. It helps students become self-driven and passionate about their studies. However, extrinsic motivations, such as rewards and grades, tend to be more prevalent among students.

Interestingly, studies show conflicting results regarding gender differences in emotional intelligence. While some studies suggest no significant differences, others indicate that girls tend to have higher academic motivation than boys. It’s important to consider the individuality of each student and not rely solely on gender stereotypes.

Recent research using a quasi-experimental design from an interpretive approach has found intriguing results. In this study, participants provided consent, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the variables. The research showed medium-high correlations between emotional intelligence and school motivation.

Contrary to expectations, there were no significant differences in school motivation between boys and girls or among different grade levels. However, age seemed to influence emotional intelligence and school motivation, with 12-year-old students having lower mean scores compared to their younger peers.

So, how does emotional intelligence and motivation impact academic achievement? Numerous studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between emotional intelligence and academic success in pre-adolescent children. Having emotional intelligence helps students develop crucial skills for understanding their emotions and managing relationships, which contributes to their overall academic performance.

In conclusion, developing emotional intelligence and fostering intrinsic motivation are vital in education. Educators play a significant role in promoting emotional intelligence and creating an environment that nurtures motivation. By recognizing the importance of emotions and motivation, we can help students thrive academically and beyond.

Ref Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9142720/