Assessing the predictive validity of emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence has become a fashionable topic in the popular press, and has been heralded as an effective predictor of successful performance. However, little empirical evidence has borne out these claims. The present study was conducted in order to determine the relationship of emotional in telligence, cognitive ability, and personality with academic achievement. E motional intelligence was assessed using the EQ-i (total EQ-i score and fiv e EQ-i composite factor scores). Both cognitive ability and personality (in terms of extraversion and self control) were significantly associated with academic achievement. None of the EQ-i factor scores, nor the total EQ-i s core, was significantly related to academic achievement. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.