Salovey and Mayer

Salovey and Mayer are psychologists who introduced the concept of emotional intelligence, which is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and use emotions effectively in ourselves and others. They proposed that emotional intelligence involves skills like perceiving emotions accurately, understanding emotional language, and regulating emotions to promote personal and interpersonal growth. Their work emphasizes that emotional skills are crucial for effective communication, decision-making, and maintaining relationships—much like cognitive intelligence but focused on emotional awareness and management. This understanding helps explain how emotional skills influence our overall well-being and success.