Determining the relationship between emotional intelligence and learning styles of the medical students at Arak University of Medical Sciences

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Both learning styles and emotional intelligence are fundamental for academic improvement of the students. Considering learning styles and multiple aspects of emotional intelligence can be developed with proper procedures. This study aimed to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and learning styles in medical students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study determines the relationship between emotional intelligence and learning styles of medical students at Arak University of Medical Sciences in the year 2011-2012. The Bar-On Emotional Intelligence and Kolb Learning Style questionnaires were used for data collection. FINDINGS: 220 medical students in the various sections, have participated. Mean and SD of emotional intelligence test score, were 282.8±40.34. Learning styles of the students were convergent, accommodation, divergent and assimilation, respectively. There was no significant relationship between emotional intelligence and learning styles of the students. CONCLUSION: To get high levels of academic skills, besides to cognitive abilities, students have to achieve a growth in controlling emotions. In other words, regardless of learning styles, the better learning will be followed by the greater access to the components of emotional intelligence