A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: THE NINE-LAYER MODEL
Abstract
Emotional intelligence (EI) has gained significant attention in recent years as a psychological concept that influences various aspects of our lives. However, there is ongoing debate and disagreement regarding its definition, measurement, and constituent abilities. Despite these differences, numerous studies have consistently shown a positive correlation between emotional intelligence and psychological and physical health, personal well-being, stress management, academic and work performance, social relationships, education, and leadership. Emotional intelligence encompasses the skills and abilities to perceive and understand one's own emotions and those of others, as well as the capacity to effectively regulate and utilize emotions to enhance overall performance.
Furthermore, emotional intelligence is closely intertwined with cognition, metacognition, and metaemotion. Cognition influences emotions, while emotions, in turn, shape cognitive processes such as attention, problem-solving, memory, and decision making. Metacognition refers to individuals' ability to monitor and control their own cognitive processes, including their emotional skills. The application of metacognitive strategies in emotional intelligence involves awareness, monitoring, and self-regulation, enabling individuals to evaluate and manage their emotional reactions for better emotional states and responses. Similarly, metaemotion refers to the secondary emotional responses that occur in response to primary emotions, encompassing a range of emotions, thoughts, and cognition about both oneself and others.
This paper aims to explore the relationship between metacognition, metaemotion, and emotional intelligence by proposing the eight pillars of meta-emotion, which parallel the eight pillars of metacognition. These pillars include awareness, acceptability, communication, causality, manipulation, coaching, and their significance in fostering learning, self-awareness, social awareness, and transcendence. By understanding and developing meta-emotional skills, individuals can correct emotional errors, improve their personalities, and enhance interpersonal and intrapersonal interactions.
