The role of trait emotional intelligence in academic performance: theoretical overview and empirical update

Article

Perera, Harsha N.. 2015. "The role of trait emotional intelligence in academic performance: theoretical overview and empirical update." Journal of Psychology: interdisciplinary and applied. 150 (2), pp. 227-249. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2015.1079161
Article Title

The role of trait emotional intelligence in academic performance: theoretical overview and empirical update

ERA Journal ID6457
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorPerera, Harsha N.
Journal TitleJournal of Psychology: interdisciplinary and applied
Journal Citation150 (2), pp. 227-249
Number of Pages23
Year2015
Place of PublicationUnited States
ISSN0022-3980
1940-1019
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2015.1079161
Web Address (URL)http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00223980.2015.1079161
Abstract

Considerable debate still exists among scholars over the role of trait emotional intelligence (TEI) in academic performance. The dominant theoretical position is that TEI should be orthogonal or only weakly related to achievement; yet, there are strong theoretical reasons to believe that TEI plays a key role in performance. The purpose of the current article is to provide (a) an overview of the possible theoretical mechanisms linking TEI with achievement and (b) an update on empirical research examining this relationship. To elucidate these theoretical mechanisms, the overview draws on multiple theories of emotion and regulation, including TEI theory, social-functional accounts of emotion, and expectancy-value and psychobiological model of emotion and regulation. Although these theoretical accounts variously emphasize different variables as focal constructs, when taken together, they provide a comprehensive picture of the possible mechanisms linking TEI with achievement. In this regard, the article redresses the problem of vaguely specified theoretical links currently hampering progress in the field. The article closes with a consideration of directions for future research.

Keywordsacademic performance,achievement, emotional intelligence, emotions, trait EI
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020520102. Educational psychology
529999. Other psychology not elsewhere classified
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Byline AffiliationsSchool of Linguistics, Adult and Specialist Education
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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