Where is the balance?
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2024 9:41 am
There are many debates about emotional intelligence as a means of academic and professional success and the famous IQ tests to determine how far we can go, but how do emotions influence the decisions we make every day? How important is empathy in educational environments?
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is becoming more and more present in our lives, and that is why we wanted to talk about it with someone who has been teaching it for years. Martín Visconti , current director of the Academia Europea Bilingual School in El Salvador, is a “persevering, enthusiastic, constant, initiative-driven, creative and energetic” person, as he is described on one of his social networks.
- Let's start with the most important thing. What should we understand by “Emotional Intelligence”?
Broadly speaking, Emotional Intelligence (EI) is defined as a construct that helps us understand and manage our own emotions and those of others with versatility.
- Why is it increasingly important in our lives?
I think it has always been that way, although it is true that with the new social and cultural paradigms, the power of the immediate, individualism, the cult of the ego, etc., the problems have become more evident. Working on Emotional Intelligence is a strategic solution to confront them.
- Is there any relationship between age and emotional intelligence?
Of course. We learn to deal with emotions as we grow and face new situations. In fact, age is a key factor due to accumulated experience, but there is always room for improvement. Taking time to reflect, analyze behavioral patterns and establish emotional management strategies consciously allows us to live better, regardless of age.
Clips with different faces
- How does the development of emotional intelligence affect decision-making in the school environment?
It's hard work and it takes dedication, but for a good reason. At school, just like at home, we have plenty of opportunities, you just have to pay attention.
For example, in our school we focus on educating by trying to foster responsibility. This is one of the key values when it comes to developing Emotional Intelligence. Personally, I believe that through commitment to oneself, acceptance of one's own mistakes and the will to correct them, we learn to face the consequences of our actions and, ultimately, our emotions, which is the most difficult thing.
The role of a good educator is to bring the student to that point, to the moment when he understands that he must commit himself and take responsibility for his actions, the consequences and emotions that they imply and, finally, to make the right decisions, even if it weighs on him. Otherwise, we opt for the easy way out, which is avoidance strategies, which usually lead to more problems.
"The balance lies in putting things into perspective a little."
- Is it important for emotional intelligence to develop at an early age?
It is really important. When children begin to develop basic emotional skills, they learn to pay attention to their own emotions, those of others, and the physiological and cognitive states associated with them. This can be of great help in avoiding future behavioral problems such as anger outbursts, fights, or lack of empathy in later years.
Emotional perception is one of the basic skills in every human communication process and the first phase in the development of our emotional competence. It is crucial in all our interactions and childhood is an ideal time to start working on it.
- How can teachers help improve their students' Emotional Intelligence?
There are a lot of resources available for this, some based on the identification and expression of emotions, others on their regulation, etc. But I think that before applying any dynamic in class, it is best to start by investigating the basics. Perhaps by discovering the role that emotions play in our mental processes, we can begin to ask ourselves interesting questions such as: is it true that all the decisions we make are based on emotions? Or that if we did not feel emotions, we would not be able to decide either?
These kinds of questions can help us understand the emotional world and the importance of having skills in this regard. There is a book by Antonio Damasio, “ Descartes’ Error ,” that deals with this. It is an excellent starting point.
Damasio is a Portuguese neuroscientist, winner of the Prince of Asturias Award for Scientific Research, who demonstrated some extremely transcendental brain processes related to emotions. His work is very interesting. Through it and complementing it with some other source we can understand and plan sessions with students much better.
- What determines a person's emotional intelligence?
Strictly speaking and following the original model of the theory of Emotional Intelligence developed by Mayer & Salovey, there are four basic skills:
The ability to perceive and express one's own and others' emotions.
The ability to use emotions and feelings to enhance attention and shape thinking.
The ability to integrate what you feel within your framework of emotional understanding.
The ability to regulate one's own emotions and those of others.
- The greater the emotional intelligence, the greater the acceptance and empathy and, therefore, less bullying, for example. Would that be possible?
This is a very good point of view, the one that we educators like to use, but Emotional Intelligence as such does not understand positive or negative valences.
If Juan verbally attacks his teammates and in the process demonstrates great control of his emotions and those of his opponents, he definitely has a good level of Emotional Intelligence.
On the other hand, if David helps Luis manage his emotions because he is a frequent target of ridicule and helps him overcome them, too.
Emotional Intelligence works as a weapon to face life. The way we use it depends on our values.
"Emotions are the key to reasoning."
- Emperor Marcus Aurelius once said that “a man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.” Do you agree?
Absolutely, considering the argument from a broad perspective, which is the sense that is implied. For example, a high frequency of negative thoughts is often related to sadness, anxiety, apathy, depression and even altered biological and physiological processes.
In the same way, the production of positive thoughts has a decisive impact on our way of perceiving reality and also on the way in which others perceive us, which is indicative of our ability to change the world around us.
- What happens to our most rational side if we let the most emotional side control us?
For centuries, our culture has had this dualistic perspective that pits reason against emotion. We often talk about two types of behavioural profiles: the first is impulsive, driven by emotions; the second, analytical, driven by reason. In reality, this dualism does not exist.
When I give an introductory talk, I usually start with the mistaken theory of emotions. This theory has been widely accepted and disseminated in our culture since the times of Ancient Greece with Aristotle and Plato, through the Middle Ages, with Descartes, and expressed in countless cultural productions for centuries.
The truth is that our reasoning system developed as an extension list of contact numbers of the emotional system. People who tend to make good decisions do so not because they keep their emotions at bay, but because they rely on what their emotional system tells them. Emotions are the key to reasoning.
-
Well, I think we all do what we can to manage our emotions. It doesn't matter if we are sometimes more reserved and we hold back, or if we are usually more impulsive. The balance lies in putting things into perspective a little. If everything is going well, enjoy it, and if things get complicated in something or with someone, then it will pass, it's not the end of the world.
A former teacher of mine used to say “every evil lasts a hundred years” whenever we were feeling down about something, and I’m sure that attitude she projected helped many of us learn to take things lightly.
"Age is a key factor due to accumulated experience."
- Is there any way to calculate emotional intelligence?
There are many instruments for measuring emotional intelligence, but the really good ones are based on a consolidated theory, have adequate psychometric properties and are applied according to previously defined criteria. In other words, they have a solid theoretical basis, have been widely tested and measure what they actually claim to measure.
I think the best way to get a proper measurement is to consult someone with specific training .
- What benefits does emotional learning have for schools?
It improves interaction between people. There is a very relevant scientific study that began in 1938, in fact it is the longest study in history (75 years and still going on). The Study of Adult Development at Harvard University looked at the lives of more than 700 people as they grew up. It also studied the lives of their children and their families.
After several generations of assigned researchers, hundreds of thousands of hours of analysis and tens of thousands of pages written, the main message is that good relationships make us happier and healthier. If there is a recipe for happiness, it is in interpersonal relationships. So it is essential that we manage our emotions with versatility, since they are the key to good communication.
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is becoming more and more present in our lives, and that is why we wanted to talk about it with someone who has been teaching it for years. Martín Visconti , current director of the Academia Europea Bilingual School in El Salvador, is a “persevering, enthusiastic, constant, initiative-driven, creative and energetic” person, as he is described on one of his social networks.
- Let's start with the most important thing. What should we understand by “Emotional Intelligence”?
Broadly speaking, Emotional Intelligence (EI) is defined as a construct that helps us understand and manage our own emotions and those of others with versatility.
- Why is it increasingly important in our lives?
I think it has always been that way, although it is true that with the new social and cultural paradigms, the power of the immediate, individualism, the cult of the ego, etc., the problems have become more evident. Working on Emotional Intelligence is a strategic solution to confront them.
- Is there any relationship between age and emotional intelligence?
Of course. We learn to deal with emotions as we grow and face new situations. In fact, age is a key factor due to accumulated experience, but there is always room for improvement. Taking time to reflect, analyze behavioral patterns and establish emotional management strategies consciously allows us to live better, regardless of age.
Clips with different faces
- How does the development of emotional intelligence affect decision-making in the school environment?
It's hard work and it takes dedication, but for a good reason. At school, just like at home, we have plenty of opportunities, you just have to pay attention.
For example, in our school we focus on educating by trying to foster responsibility. This is one of the key values when it comes to developing Emotional Intelligence. Personally, I believe that through commitment to oneself, acceptance of one's own mistakes and the will to correct them, we learn to face the consequences of our actions and, ultimately, our emotions, which is the most difficult thing.
The role of a good educator is to bring the student to that point, to the moment when he understands that he must commit himself and take responsibility for his actions, the consequences and emotions that they imply and, finally, to make the right decisions, even if it weighs on him. Otherwise, we opt for the easy way out, which is avoidance strategies, which usually lead to more problems.
"The balance lies in putting things into perspective a little."
- Is it important for emotional intelligence to develop at an early age?
It is really important. When children begin to develop basic emotional skills, they learn to pay attention to their own emotions, those of others, and the physiological and cognitive states associated with them. This can be of great help in avoiding future behavioral problems such as anger outbursts, fights, or lack of empathy in later years.
Emotional perception is one of the basic skills in every human communication process and the first phase in the development of our emotional competence. It is crucial in all our interactions and childhood is an ideal time to start working on it.
- How can teachers help improve their students' Emotional Intelligence?
There are a lot of resources available for this, some based on the identification and expression of emotions, others on their regulation, etc. But I think that before applying any dynamic in class, it is best to start by investigating the basics. Perhaps by discovering the role that emotions play in our mental processes, we can begin to ask ourselves interesting questions such as: is it true that all the decisions we make are based on emotions? Or that if we did not feel emotions, we would not be able to decide either?
These kinds of questions can help us understand the emotional world and the importance of having skills in this regard. There is a book by Antonio Damasio, “ Descartes’ Error ,” that deals with this. It is an excellent starting point.
Damasio is a Portuguese neuroscientist, winner of the Prince of Asturias Award for Scientific Research, who demonstrated some extremely transcendental brain processes related to emotions. His work is very interesting. Through it and complementing it with some other source we can understand and plan sessions with students much better.
- What determines a person's emotional intelligence?
Strictly speaking and following the original model of the theory of Emotional Intelligence developed by Mayer & Salovey, there are four basic skills:
The ability to perceive and express one's own and others' emotions.
The ability to use emotions and feelings to enhance attention and shape thinking.
The ability to integrate what you feel within your framework of emotional understanding.
The ability to regulate one's own emotions and those of others.
- The greater the emotional intelligence, the greater the acceptance and empathy and, therefore, less bullying, for example. Would that be possible?
This is a very good point of view, the one that we educators like to use, but Emotional Intelligence as such does not understand positive or negative valences.
If Juan verbally attacks his teammates and in the process demonstrates great control of his emotions and those of his opponents, he definitely has a good level of Emotional Intelligence.
On the other hand, if David helps Luis manage his emotions because he is a frequent target of ridicule and helps him overcome them, too.
Emotional Intelligence works as a weapon to face life. The way we use it depends on our values.
"Emotions are the key to reasoning."
- Emperor Marcus Aurelius once said that “a man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.” Do you agree?
Absolutely, considering the argument from a broad perspective, which is the sense that is implied. For example, a high frequency of negative thoughts is often related to sadness, anxiety, apathy, depression and even altered biological and physiological processes.
In the same way, the production of positive thoughts has a decisive impact on our way of perceiving reality and also on the way in which others perceive us, which is indicative of our ability to change the world around us.
- What happens to our most rational side if we let the most emotional side control us?
For centuries, our culture has had this dualistic perspective that pits reason against emotion. We often talk about two types of behavioural profiles: the first is impulsive, driven by emotions; the second, analytical, driven by reason. In reality, this dualism does not exist.
When I give an introductory talk, I usually start with the mistaken theory of emotions. This theory has been widely accepted and disseminated in our culture since the times of Ancient Greece with Aristotle and Plato, through the Middle Ages, with Descartes, and expressed in countless cultural productions for centuries.
The truth is that our reasoning system developed as an extension list of contact numbers of the emotional system. People who tend to make good decisions do so not because they keep their emotions at bay, but because they rely on what their emotional system tells them. Emotions are the key to reasoning.
-
Well, I think we all do what we can to manage our emotions. It doesn't matter if we are sometimes more reserved and we hold back, or if we are usually more impulsive. The balance lies in putting things into perspective a little. If everything is going well, enjoy it, and if things get complicated in something or with someone, then it will pass, it's not the end of the world.
A former teacher of mine used to say “every evil lasts a hundred years” whenever we were feeling down about something, and I’m sure that attitude she projected helped many of us learn to take things lightly.
"Age is a key factor due to accumulated experience."
- Is there any way to calculate emotional intelligence?
There are many instruments for measuring emotional intelligence, but the really good ones are based on a consolidated theory, have adequate psychometric properties and are applied according to previously defined criteria. In other words, they have a solid theoretical basis, have been widely tested and measure what they actually claim to measure.
I think the best way to get a proper measurement is to consult someone with specific training .
- What benefits does emotional learning have for schools?
It improves interaction between people. There is a very relevant scientific study that began in 1938, in fact it is the longest study in history (75 years and still going on). The Study of Adult Development at Harvard University looked at the lives of more than 700 people as they grew up. It also studied the lives of their children and their families.
After several generations of assigned researchers, hundreds of thousands of hours of analysis and tens of thousands of pages written, the main message is that good relationships make us happier and healthier. If there is a recipe for happiness, it is in interpersonal relationships. So it is essential that we manage our emotions with versatility, since they are the key to good communication.