Emotional Intelligence

The study of intelligence within the scientific community is nothing new, but most relate the study of intelligence to research from the cognitive field. The cognitive field of intelligence refers to the mode of thinking that directs memory and problem solving. However, in the last sixty years many psychologists have realized the importance of non-cognitive intelligence, such as emotional understanding, empathy, and compassion. This non-cognitive field of intelligence has come to be known as emotional intelligence.
In 1937 Robert Thorndike researched "social intelligence", the precursor to modern research in emotional intelligence. Then in 1940 the distinguished psychologist, David Wechsler, conducted research that stated "non-intellective abilities" are crucial in predicting the success of individuals in life. In the early 1950s the Office of Strategic Services developed an assessment system that evaluated non-cognitive ability, which was first used in business by AT&T in 1956. In 1959, psychologist John Hemphill stated that consideration of emotion was an important aspect of effective leadership.7
In the early 1990s David R. Caruso, Peter Salovey, John Mayer, and Daniel Goleman brought emotional intelligence to the forefront of management and intellectual theory. Today emotional intelligence is of great importance to a multitude of business and social applications.