Overview
The main reason why intelligent tests were initially conducted was to determine the level of mental ability among students (Matthews, Zeidner & Robert, 2002). However, it is still debatable whether one’s intellectual ability is similar to the IQ ratings. However, it is evident that most people who are perceived to be successful have an average score when IQ tests are conducted in them (Wharam, 2009). It is against this backdrop that one wonders what really contributes to success in life.
There have been attempts to answer this query for a considerable long time. Several theories have been put forward and a lot more is still expected in the future. The writer has in some way refuted the traditional concepts that address mental alertness, IQ ratings, and intelligence as important components of success. He presents an argument that most successful stories largely rely on persistence, passion, and the ability to control oneself.
Title and Introduction
The captivating title “Emotional Intelligence” as put forward by the author indeed presents the book as a major breakthrough in an attempt to address how emotional smartness is key to success. The controversy is started by the subtitle which asserts that IQ scoring is less significant than emotional intelligence on matters of success. The “Aristotle Challenge” begins the chapter. Those who perceive that intelligence per se is key to success are proved wrong. The book is made up of 16 chapters and six appendixes.
Chapter Reviews
In chapter 1, the book tackles the functions of emotions in our day-to-day life. In chapter two, it covers what Goleman refers to as an “Anatomy of an Emotional Hijacking”. The interchanging relationship between two systems namely cortex and limbic is described by Goleman in the two chapters. According to his description, the writer explains the cortex as a rational platform while that part of the human brain that deals with the processing of emotions is described as the limbic. Goleman dwells much on the intrigues of emotional intelligence. He suggests that the moderation of barbaric emotional occurrences by the mind which is rational is a major component of emotional intelligence. Moreover, Goleman observes that learning through practice is the best way to acquire emotional intelligence.
In part two of the book, six chapters address the topic of “The Nature of Emotional Intelligence”. Indeed, the writer is keen to support his argument by quoting a myriad of studies. In his perspective, Daniel Goleman observes that although some students have recorded high IQ ratings in their academic achievements, this is not usually the case when they turn to real-life situations. According to the author, most people who score averagely in terms of their IQs tend to register phenomenon breakthroughs in life. Sincerely speaking, this is an interesting revelation bearing in mind that people with higher IQ scores have generally been perceived to be well-positioned as far as success in life is concerned (Cassady & Eissa, 2008). Moreover, Goleman goes ahead and suggests that IQ may only contribute to 20 percent of success in life if used to the optimum. The writer uncovers a very important discovery in chapter three and undoubtedly leaves the audience with more questions unanswered as he claims that emotional intelligence contributes 80 percent of success in life. What Goleman is trying to imply is that those individuals with low emotional intelligence and higher IQ scores are more likely to be less successful (Salovey, Brackett & Mayer, 2004).
In chapter four, Goleman explores an impulsive form of experience. He candidly classifies the mode of encounter as “self-observation” or better still “self-awareness”. To support this new idea, Goleman brings on board the “heavenly hovering attention” concept derived from Freud. Although the latter author has managed to create a clear distinction between thinking and consciousness, Daniel Goleman fails to do so even as he explores this experience thereby leaving the reader at crossroads. In a simple and more straightforward interpretation of his thought, Goleman maintains that it is better to understand one’s strength and abilities instead of going for the IQ tests and the accompanying results.
Before winding up chapter four, the author gives a further review under the subtopic on “Plumbing the Unconscious”. He deliberates that as an individual, it is possible to be on the same wavelength to the unique symbols of the emotional mind such as fables, songs and metaphors. He suggests that if such emotional endeavors are your greatest likes, then it is far more important to pursue them rather than dwelling on the results obtained from IQ tests. As a person, if you are in sync with such deep emotions towards success, you are more likely to exercise your gift than others and attain higher success in life. Daniel Goleman sounds so convincing as he ends up this chapter especially when he cleverly utilizes the power of symbolism in driving his point home.
The “Passion’s Slaves” is introduced in the fifth chapter of the book. The author begins by giving an in-depth view of the impacts of disorders associated with emotions. In his opinion, Daniel Goleman is categorical that such disorders are disastrous to an individual’s success and therefore it is imperative to seek pharmacological help as soon as possible. At this point, the author seems to deviate from any kind of debate on the power of emotional intelligence. Rather, he grounds his discussions on the genesis and possible effects of psychological or emotional disorders. By so doing, Goleman manages to remain as objective as possible and does more justice to his writing. He becomes more admirable when he points out that some disorders make patients dislike medication. Manic depression is a case example of such a disorder. If such emotional disorders are poorly handled, they can significantly hinder one’s success in life. This is a fact and not a skewed opinion that leaves the audience with eagerness to read the following chapters. The author also sheds more light on the different states of depression. Goleman offers some medical help on depression. He suggests that it is important to focus on a cheerful activity especially when one is under depression. You need to remain buoyant despite the depressing situation at hand (Chakraborty & Konar, 2009; Goleman, Boyatzis & McKee, 2004). He further offers advice that it is necessary to avoid movies that are tragic in nature or stories that may pull your moods down when you are depressed. Daniel Goleman rebuffs the famous myth that proposes “ventilating” as a powerful way of alleviating anger. The author sounds convincing on this assertion bearing in mind that anger is one of the emotional intrigues that is very challenging to manage. Besides, the author remains adamant and does not opt for the second option of ignoring the presence of anger. He finally rests on the third option of anger management which proposes that the best way to handle this emotional intrigue is by assuming that it is owned by another person. Although this may be just one of the ways of managing anger, the author does not give credit to other methods even though they too can assist in handling the emotion (Anthony, 2003). Although Goleman begins this chapter objectively, he ends it with a subjective view. In so doing, he balances the entire chapter thereby accommodating a wide array of audiences.
Chapter six begins with the analysis of “The Master Aptitude” whereby the author elaborates the important roles played by different traits in people. He particularly tackles the significance of being persistent and enthusiastic. To support his opinion, Goleman gives an example derived from the difference in performance between Asian and white students. He notes that better records are demonstrated by Asian students than the white students since the former are more enthusiastic and persistent contrary to the popular belief that IQ plays the biggest role in attaining success. Although some of the white students may be endowed with higher IQs, they do not necessarily stand out as far as success is concerned. The comparison of Asian and White students here may be perceived by a section of the audience as racially stereotypic. Hence, the author may need sound practical evidence to support his view. Moreover, using race as a factor of comparing success levels may not go down well with some readers.
“The Roots of Empathy” as presented in the seventh chapter explore the tentative role played by gender on matters of emotional empathy. The author believes that women tend to demonstrate empathy in a better way than men. It is imperative to note that empathy as described by Goleman in this chapter is that feeling which is over and above sympathy, which both genders can practice well. According to the author, empathy is an important part of emotion that adds more flavor to romantic life. According to Goleman, when emotions are appreciated, it accounts for a very instrumental part of knowledge. Hence, the author considers emotions to be not just the right feeling that drives us to success but also the right source of knowledge that we all should endeavor to achieve.
Part three of the book covers “Emotional Intelligence Applied” and contains three chapters. The role played by emotion when one is married is explored by Daniel Goleman. According to the author, each sex makes a multitude of visible emotions throughout their lives. The art of expressing emotions varies from one individual to another although the author is quite specific that girls are better at expressing emotions than boys. According to the author, the reason why girls are more expressive than boys is that they tend to learn language patterns faster than their counterparts. In order to solidify this point, the writer goes further to report that men find it difficult to talk freely with their wives on matters surrounding their relationship. Although men tend to dwell almost on all aspects surrounding their relationships, women tend to be more vocal when they are not contented with how the relationship is being handled by the man. Goleman seems to feature women who are in unhappy relationships and ignore those whose marital relationships are working well. Perhaps, the author has more interest in the study of relationships where there are unhappy couples. Such a skewed outlook may end up giving biased feedback on the actual situation on the ground. However, Emmerling, Shanwal and Mandal (2008) consider marital emotion based on how couples interact even when they are in a good relationship.
In revisiting the earlier debate on IQ tests, the author quotes a case analysis of a certain study that was conducted on a group of people with high IQ scores. This takes the better part of chapter 10. When the same group was taken through an emotional intelligence test, most of them obtained the mean scores and others were even below average. If this study is anything to go by, it implies that those people who make sure that their work is finished in time despite the difficulties experienced are more likely to succeed in life even though their IQ scores may be low (Bradberry& Greav, 2005). The study revealed that those who scored from average to below-average levels in the emotional intelligence test belonged to the category of people who tended not to finish their tasks. To back up his view, Goleman gives a summary of one of the recent studies carried out to establish the interaction between emotions and health. This study is summarized in chapter 11 of the book. According to one of the findings in the research, emotion is important in regulating hormones that control both the body’s defense system and brain. The author is attempting to justify his earlier assertion that emotions influence the better part of our ability and his opinion indeed agrees with the findings.
Part four of the book deals with the “Windows of Opportunity”. Child abuse especially through parental beating is perceived by the author as a real issue of emotional concern because children who undergo such ordeals tend to dispossess empathy in their lives. The author connects this notion with the subheading in chapter thirteen entitled “Trauma and Emotional Relearning”. He claims that a continuous experience of trauma may lead to biological problems. Although the author is not specifically pointing that emotional problems may transform into physical problems, it is indeed the case. This is a similar view shared by Epstein (1998).
The last part of the book, part five, discusses “Emotional Literacy”. The two chapters deliberate on the “Cost of emotional Literacy” and the “Schooling Emotions”. Goleman argues that there are those people who may not be in a position to distinguish between anger and scare. Such people will tend to eat more to gain weight because they become hungrier when depressed.
In chapter 16 (the last chapter), the writer provides some resourceful materials that can help in training people. According to Goleman, emotional intelligence can be learned through teaching. Nonetheless, children should not be lectured. If the lecture is not recommended for children, then they must learn emotions through ethical practices (Chakraborty & Konar, 2009). This is a worthy piece of advice that Daniel Goleman offers to his readership as he winds up the book.