Emotional Quotient (EQ) Vs. Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

The right side of the brain controls processes related to emotions, like in the field of arts or creativity, whereas, the left side of the brain is more active in analytic thought processes, like solving a math problem or logical thinking.

The factors that winners are made of have been studied and analyzed. The standout features are high intelligence as well as emotional quotient. Intelligence quotient is the ability of a person to do work. Emotional quotient is the ability and the rationality in various things that can affect the ability to do work, the impact can be positive or negative.

This is the intellectual ability of a person. The origins of the use of this terminology can be traced back to the early 19^th century. It is the measure of the ability of a person to understand various skills, and learn to apply them. It stands as a scale for measuring reasoning, analytical, numerical, and other such skills.

People with a higher IQ generally have a better academic performance. They have to take less mental efforts when performing an intellectual task as compared to those with a lower IQ.

There have been various theories that have tried to determine the factors that can have an effect on the IQ of a person. It is still debatable whether it can be nurtured, or is it in the nature, i.e., whether it is dependent on the genes, or if some of the factors in the environment can have an effect on it.

This, however, was not the original process that was used to measure IQ. In the tests that were carried out earlier, the mental age of the person was divided by the actual age, and the resultant was multiplied by 100, to get the intelligence quotient.

For example, if the mental age of a boy was 13, whereas his actual chronological age was 10, his IQ, according to the methodology mentioned earlier, was 130.

The ones with a higher IQ are good at word comprehension, abstract thinking, spatial thinking, and can easily filter out the information which they perceive as irrelevant. They are largely successful in the fields that have to offer them challenging tasks, where they can also put their analytical skills to good use.

These individuals can have a prosperous career in research and development, and are recognized as highly capable and gifted individuals.

The emotional quotient, more or less consists of the factors that can affect, or rather interfere with the intellectual ability of a person. This term was used for the first time towards the end of the 19^th century.

It is the ability of a person to identify, control, and evaluate his/her emotions, as well as of the people around. People with a higher EQ are better suited as team players as well as in leadership roles over those who have a lower EQ.

It is not only responsible for improved interpersonal skills, but also for better performance in academic as well as professional careers. EQ can be improved by adopting various methodologies; for example, role-playing games, which can help in understanding different points of view.

One's ability to process emotions, their own, as well as that of others, is a very subjective process. However, as in case of IQ measurement, there are some standard tests available for measuring EQ.

The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test is one such test that measures EQ through the answers given to the various questions that are based on emotional problems. Other tests that can attain the same objective are Emotional Competence Inventory or Emotional Intelligence Appraisal.

Though these people, in general, are team players, there are some individuals who can work at their best when they work alone too. Most of them have the ability to assess the emotions of the people who around them, along with their own.

To survive in the real world, EQ plays a very important role. It is known to increase self-confidence, empathy, and impulse control, among other things. Success widely depends on how high the EQ of a person is. It is largely believed that success depends 80% on EQ, while the rest is a result of the IQ.

The main difference between emotional quotient and intelligence quotient is that, EQ is, by and large, sufficient by itself for survival in the world. However, the same does not hold true about IQ, which is one of the many factors that is needed for achieving success.

IQ can help open and get through various doors, whereas EQ will help in establishing and sustaining, once in through these open doors. It can be said that the intellectual intelligence of a person can be of help throughout his/her academic career, while his/her emotional intelligence will come in handy in both, education as well as profession.