Application of the EIT testing methodology for the measurement of emotional intelligence

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the creation, standardisation and application of the tool for measuring the level of emotional intelligence (EI), developed and based on the model of EI as an ability of Peter Salovey, John D. Mayer, David R. Caruso and the psychoevolutionary theory of emotions by Robert Plutchik. For psychometric testing, the data of 3 342 respondents aged 18 to 72 were used (1 172 men and 2 170 women, average age 37.4 years). Factor analysis, both exploratory and confirmatory, showed that the theoretical structure of the EIT method distinguishes 4 EI abilities, thus corresponding to the theoretical model upon which this test was developed. At the same time, the experiential EI domain is better described by factor models when compared to the strategic domain. Age and gender specificity was studied – there was a tendency for the overall level of EI development to increase with age, including the ability to use emotions in solving problems, as well as significant sex differences in the overall level and abilities of EI, which were higher in females. According to the research results, the EIT test of emotional intelligence demonstrated the fundamental psychometric indicators satisfactorily.