Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ (Paperback)

by Daniel Goleman (Author) "Ponder the last moments of Gary and Mary Jane Chauncey, a couple completely devoted to their eleven-year-old daughter Andrea, who was confined to a wheelchair..." (more)
Key Phrases: emotional literacy classes, master aptitude, emotional lessons, New Haven, Self Science, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The Western cultures esteem analytical skills measured by IQ tests: but there is clearly more to success and happiness, even in technological societies, than IQ alone. Goleman has written one of the best books on the nature and importance of other kinds of intelligence besides our perhaps overly beloved IQ. Recommended. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly
New York Times science writer Goleman argues that our emotions play a much greater role in thought, decision making and individual success than is commonly acknowledged. He defines "emotional intelligence"?a trait not measured by IQ tests?as a set of skills, including control of one's impulses, self-motivation, empathy and social competence in interpersonal relationships. Although his highly accessible survey of research into cognitive and emotional development may not convince readers that this grab bag of faculties comprise a clearly recognizable, well-defined aptitude, his report is nevertheless an intriguing and practical guide to emotional mastery. In marriage, emotional intelligence means listening well and being able to calm down. In the workplace, it manifests when bosses give subordinates constructive feedback regarding their performance. Goleman also looks at pilot programs in schools from New York City to Oakland, Calif., where kids are taught conflict resolution, impulse control and social skills.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Books; 10th Anniversary edition (September 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055338371X
• ISBN-13: 978-0553383713
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (261 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,644 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #18 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > By Topic > Emotions
  #24 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > By Topic > Intelligence
  #33 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Parenting > Emotions & Feelings

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Be An Emotional Retard, July 8, 2009

By	Diane - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition; Why It Can Matter More Than IQ (Hardcover)

This book just confirms what I've been thinking for years- intelligence, that is "book smarts", is just ONE piece of what contributes to a person's overall success in life- and in no way guarantees anything. You can be the smartest person in the world, but if you don't have other qualities like self-esteem or persistence- well, there's a good chance that you won't be happy. Case in point, there is no scientific literature linking IQ or academic ability to happiness levels (check out "Finding Happiness in a Frustrating World" for a good summary of this and more happiness research). Anyway, this book does a good job of elaborating on the idea that intelligence will only get you so far in life- and spends its time telling you why. Here's a quick rundown of the book's five parts:

-Part 1 talks about the brain's "emotional architecture"
-Part 2 shows the reader how neurological givens play out in the most basic flair for living called "emotional intelligence"
-Part 3 examines some key differences this aptitude makes
-Part 4 gets into emotional intelligence and childhood
-Part 5 explores the hazards of not mastering the emotional side of things

So, if the idea of improving your life by taking a look at the emotional side of things sounds interesting to you, I would highly recommend checking this book it out.

393 of 486 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book which has profoundly changed my life, December 29, 2005

By	Kenneth A. Miller "Spock redeemed" (Park Falls, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I placed my original order for Dan Goleman's book "Emotional Intelligence" about one month before it's release in 1995 after reading the Time magazine cover story "What is Your E.Q.?" At the time I was going through a very difficult divorce, and I was asking myself the question "What did I do to deserve this terrible mess?" I was a 37 year old medical internist then who, in 7th grade, modeled my emotional style after Mr. Spock (from Star Trek) to avoid emotional issues I faced then. I accepted the messages from my parents and teachers who taught me that if I earned good grades, went to college, received an undergraduate and hopefully a graduate degree, then I shall expect to become happy & successful in life. Well, I DID that. I got the T-shirt. I graduated from high school as class valedictorian, winning the science award, I was awarded by my classmates "most likely to succeed", and I won a very handsome scholarship which paid all my undergraduate tuition for 4 years and offered me a summer job. In college I won more scholarships and graduated phi beta kappa in the top 3% of my class. In medical school & residency I did well, but this was more difficult for me as I had to learn to deal with many emotionally and socially challenging issues I was poorly prepared to deal with, but I got through them, but initially was not very adept at dealing with them.

When I entered professional life I started to ponder more the emotional issues in the lives of my patients, and in my own life, and I was slowly coming to terms with the importance of these issues. In 1995, as I reflected upon the failure of my marriage and the miserable circumstances in which I found myself, I realized my biggest contribution to the failure of that marriage was the rational "Spockish" persona I brought to that relationship and my lack of attunement to my inner emotional life. I was ready for a new paradigm of how intellect should relate to feeling.

Goleman's insights on emotional intelligence revolutionized the way I relate to my intellectual and emotional life. Where formerly I was of the belief that the mind was the key to happiness and success in life (and the emotions merely got in the way of clear heading reasoning), I have now come to view that the true formula for success & happiness is the development of an intelligent mind surrendered to an intelligent heart. In my practice in internal medicine, I have come to realize that issues of emotional intelligence (or rather, lack of it) either cause or drive numerous medical problems and I regular strive to teach my patients about emotional intelligence and I often share Goleman's book "Emotional Intelligence" (or abridged audiocassettes) with them. The book has made a very profound contribution to my practice, to my life, and to the lives of many of my patients. I have given talks at educational conferences to encourage education to teaching emotional intelligence. I have written articles to magazines and books regarding a model of education which integrates intellectual, emotional, moral, and spiritual intelligences (I see emotional intelligence as a gateway to moral and spiritual intelligence).

Especially to those of you who are stuck in the "mind is everything (& ignore your emotions)" paradigm of happiness and success in life, I urge you to read this book. The same goes for educators, physicians, and corporate leaders. I rate Goleman's book "Emotional Intelligence" among the top 5 most life altering books of my life, and that deserves 5 stars (if not ten).

Kenneth A. Miller, MD

132 of 165 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2.0 is better, September 27, 2008

By	Scott Barnes (Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When it first came out I enjoyed Emotional Intelligence because I am fascinated by the EQ concept. The book is heady and hard to get through, but it was the only thing out there and emotional intelligence is a powerful concept.

As the years have passed, I've found the book outdated. Beyond the research becoming stale, the book doesn't show you how to increase your EQ. Theory is great and all, but at this point people know what emotional intelligence is and are dying to know how to use it to improve themselves.

I came across a new book Emotional Intelligence 2.0 that was featured in a wonderful article in my city's paper, and I must say that Emotional Intelligence 2.0 is just what I've been looking for. Besides having recent research and relevant examples, 2.0 showed me how to increase my emotional intelligence step-by-step. It also includes access to an online emotional intelligence test which is really informative and an incredible bonus for just the price of a $13 book.