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Two Psychologists, Mayer and Salovey published papers on Emotional Intelligence, in which they defined Emotional Intelligence as the "Ability to monitor one's own and other's feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions" (1990). In 1997, the Psychologists revised their previous study, by putting together a "four-branch model": Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth (www.emotionaliq.com). Therefore, Emotional Intelligence (or EI) is one's capacity to understand and work with emotions. EI is understood to be a source of information about one's surroundings, and therefore a way to function in the present environment. The level to which a person can master emotions within the four-branch model is the level of their EI. Because our emotions determine the way in which we see and understand the people and situations around us, emotions not only affect our own attitudes, but also how we deal with others. For individuals who work in social fields, whether as a teacher or mentor or salesperson, having strong EI will help in the daily interactions with those you come into contact with. In Psychology, as well as every other science, the validity of certain principles and models is constantly being reevaluated and re embraced or shoved aside. In the scientific world, EI may not have enough stamina to remain credible. However, in daily life, it could be beneficial for people to learn about Emotional Intelligence, and to work on strengthening it. Anything that assists us in our understanding of ourselves and those we have contact with can hardly be a bad thing!

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