IQ OR EQ
Intelligence quotient is a score obtained by conducting standardized tests and subtests to evaluate human intelligence. The short form IQ was invented by a psychologist, William Stern, in 1912. Intelligence quotient is often thought of as a parameter to judge how capable a person is of doing any job. It focuses on various activities that a human brain does and then computes the intelligence level.
Earlier, IQ was represented as the ratio of a person’s mental age to their chronological or biological age and multiplied by 100. As per data collected from students of top international schools in India, IQ is often calculated by comparing the IQ of a group of people, and it is then estimated. The IQ tests were also used by the US military while recruiting during World War I.
The tests check the crystallized intelligence by asking knowledge-based questions that are usually about general knowledge. It also contains the fluid intelligence of a person by taking into account the questions based on logic and reasoning, which check a person’s aptitude.
IQ tests also ask questions that determine an individual’s emotional intelligence in terms of their natural abilities, hobbies and interests, attention span, and self-control.
The emotional quotient, on the other hand, focuses on the emotional intelligence of a person. Howard Gardner, a Harvard therapist, describes an emotional quotient as the ability to understand other people, motivate them, and work cooperatively.
Not many of us are aware of the emotional quotient and often consider it less important as we think it is the intelligence quotient that makes people successful. However, many psychologists argue that it is not the case. Intelligence quotient can indeed be a factor in determining the success rate of a person, especially in academics, but it is not all that matters.
Emotional intelligence instead plays a vast and significant role in the success of a person. Many sales companies also believe that people who have higher EQ can make more sales than those with higher IQ.
The emotional quotient checks the self-awareness of a person. How good are they in comprehending and acknowledging their emotions, and how confident are they? It also evaluates self-control in a person.
Whether the individual is good at controlling their emotions and letting them out in a healthy way and trustworthy, it also judges their conscientiousness and how well they can adapt to a new situation or environment.
It also considers what motivates the person and how determined and optimistic they are about their goals. At last, it also rates their social skills, which are their communication and cooperation skills, their leadership qualities and influencing power, and the empathy they have. Their political awareness and understanding of other people and social issues.
The emotional quotient is also something that can be improved with time. Does that mean that the intelligence quotient should be ignored entirely? The answer is no. Intelligence quotient helps educators across the globe assess the grasping power of a child, which further helps determine if the child needs special attention during the classes.
It also helps in recognizing the students who have been gifted with high intellectual abilities. But many psychologists believe that IQ does not provide a complete picture of human intelligence, so EQ is essential.
If a child has a reasonably high IQ, does it confirm that he/she will become someone like Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking. Maybe they will, but there are also chances that they will not. Hence, it is essential to balance the importance of IQ and EQ to become successful in life.