#EQ

A new study has reignited the conversation around how best to measure emotional intelligence (EI), providing deeper insights that challenge traditional approaches and offer practical guidance for individuals, workplaces, and educators worldwide, including in Thailand. As emotional intelligence continues to be recognized as a vital asset in personal and professional success, these findings present Thai readers with a timely opportunity to rethink how we assess—and develop—our own emotional savvy.

Emotional intelligence, often called “EQ,” has permeated both academic circles and everyday Thai conversations, often invoked to explain behaviors in family life, schools, or the workplace. Yet, despite the popularity of the concept, the challenge of accurately judging someone’s EI remains a source of ongoing debate. Washington University researcher, an expert in psychological assessment, has brought clarity with a new framework that both highlights the complexity of EI and breaks down its measurement into three key approaches: self-reported EI, ability-based tests, and observer ratings. Her insights, published in a recent analysis, underscore the need to use a nuanced, situation-appropriate blend of these methods (Psychology Today).