Emotional intelligence and the brain

Previous research has outlined a theoretical basis for emotional intelligence as well as significant empirical relationships relating to important outcome variables such as leadership, satisfaction with life and other life related criteria. However, little is known about the biological basis of this construct. An exploratory study was performed to investigate whether a biological basis of EI could be established. EEG from 24 participants aged between 18 and 44 (M=24.79, SD=6.08), was recorded whilst completing an ability based computerised EI task. Participants also completed the self-report Swinburne University Emotional Intelligence Test (SUEIT). Participants were separated into a high and low EI groups based on their scores on the SUEIT. The topographical distribution of brain activity for the two groups demonstrated differences in both EEG spectra and Alpha coherence