To understand what’s more important between EQ and IQ we would need to understand what EQ and IQ mean. EQ is an abbreviation for emotional intelligence which refers to the ability to understand, manage or handle emotion. IQ on the other hand is an abbreviation for intelligence quotient. IQ is a standard test that assesses human intelligence.
It’s true that both EQ and IQ are important in life but it is possible for someone to have a high IQ but low EQ, or vice versa. It’s also true that many people focus primarily on their IQ when it comes to their education. IQ is not the only factor that makes up a person’s intelligence. Quite the contrary, EQ takes into consideration how people react to their feelings in any given situation. IQ is far more firmly grounded in our brain and it is connected with riddles either puzzle or anything, while EQ can depend on someone’s personality.
For many people, the terms “intelligence” and “personality” are interchangeable. The reality, however, is that these terms are not synonymous. They are often used interchangeably because they do have some overlapping qualities. These qualities can lead to an inaccurate assumption about which one is more beneficial for success.
We will explore the differences between these two closely related topics to see which one might be more beneficial for success in life.
What is Intelligence?
Intelligence is a general term that describes the ability to understand, process and learn new information from experience. Intelligence has both an inherent and acquired component. The inherent component represents a temperament or behavioural disposition towards certain types of mental activity that are deep-seated within the individual. This deep-seated part of the personality can be the result of many factors. It may include genetics, experiences and brain chemistry. The acquired component represents knowledge gained through deliberate study and training.
The acquired component of intelligence is often measured through an intelligence quotient (IQ). This test shows a person’s general ability to solve new problems and learn from experiences.
What is Personality?
Personality, like intelligence, has two components: the innate aspect and the acquired aspect. The natural aspect of personality represents individual differences in temperament. Or behavioural tendency towards certain types of behaviour that are deep-seated within the individual. These deep-seated parts of the personality can be the result of many factors. Your genes, daily life, your past experiences, and your surroundings can affect your personality.
The acquired aspect of personality can be the result of life experiences and as well as training.
EQ vs. IQ
So you’re having a debate with your friends about which is more important, EQ or IQ? The answer depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want to be good at school, get along with people better, or make smarter decisions in life. i.e., skills that are mostly based on knowledge and reasoning. It turns out that the EQ is the better measure of success.
On the other hand, if you are looking to get ahead in life and succeed at work, it’s going to be IQ that proves to be the better predictor of success.
People who have high IQs often tend to do better at school. But they aren’t any better at dealing with interpersonal relationships or life in general. Generally speaking, your EQ is the measure of how people “feel” and react around others. Your IQ measures how well you think about things.
In a recent TED Talk titled “Do High IQ Offend You?” Dacher Keltner, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, discusses the reality of differences between the EQ and IQ. He says that those who are naturally gifted in IQ often struggle at school because they don’t understand others. A person with high EQ may understand others better but be less able to explain things clearly.
That’s why many consider having a high EQ more important than having a high IQ.
“High-EQ people were better at reading emotions, they were more altruistic, they ended up feeling better about life and they had more friends,” Keltner says in his TED Talk. “They did all these things that are only good for your health and well-being.”
In other words, if you want to get ahead in life, it might be a good idea to develop your EQ.
Likewise, if you’re looking to be more successful in school and get good grades, it’s your IQ that you’re going to have to develop.
Having a high IQ doesn’t mean that you’ll automatically be able to figure things out quickly and easily. It just means that you’ll be better at understanding the material once you learn it.
A high EQ can actually hinder your cognitive ability because a person is highly attuned to others. And will tend to pay attention less well when learning or trying to perform a task.
The Bottom Line
So, is IQ or EQ more important? It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to be able to get good grades and perform well at school, it’s IQ that should be your focus. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a way to get ahead in life and succeed at work, developing your EQ should be your main focus.… Read More