Another aspect of effective functioning in our environment is our ability to understand and interact with the other people around us. This ability is not measured on traditional IQ tests but it has received considerable attention recently.

Photo of a high-school guidance counsellor advising a student — Emotional intelligence: Some people, even if they don’t score high on standard intelligence tests, are gifted at perceiving, understanding, and expressing emotions—traits exemplified by this high school counselor.

Originally called “social intelligence,” this component has been redefined and relabeled as emotional intelligence, the ability to perceive, express, understand, and regulate emotions. Those who are emotionally smart can not only manage their own emotions, but also assess other people’s emotions and react appropriately. This social savvy often allows people with high emotional intelligence to be more successful in their careers and personal life than others who appear brighter on conventional measures of intelligence.