Skip to main content

An Ability Model of Emotional Intelligence: A Rationale, Description, and Application of the Mayer Salovey Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT)

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Assessing Emotional Intelligence

Since the best selling book by Goleman (1995), an escalating interest in the construct of emotional intelligence (EI) has made its way into popular press, academic textbooks, and peer reviewed journals. Despite this growing interest, the measurement of EI has come under scrutiny (Landy & Conte, 2004; Matthews, Zeidner, & Roberts, 2002). This scrutiny centers on the lack of agreement between researchers on how to define EI as a construct. In turn, identifying the most amenable means for measuring EI has presented challenges to researchers resulting in several derivatives of the EI construct (MacCann, Matthews, Zeidner, & Roberts, 2004). Currently, numerous theoretical models of EI are being advocated in the popular and academic press, as well as a variety of published and unpublished instruments claiming to assess it.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adams, F., & Osgood, C. (1973). A cross cultural study of the affective meanings of color. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 4(2), 135–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avolio, B., & Bass, B. (1995). Individual consideration viewed at multiple levels of analysis: A multi-level framework for examining the diffusion of transformational leadership. Leadership Quarterly. Special Issue: Leadership: The Multiple-Level Approaches (Part I), 6(2), 199–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bar-On, R. (1997). Bar-on emotional quotient inventory: A measure of emotional intelligence. Toronto: Multi-Health Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barchard, K. A. (2003). Does emotional intelligence assist in the prediction of academic success? Educational and Psychological Measurement, 63, 840–858.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226–244.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bastian, V. A., Burns, N. R., & Nettelbeck, T. (2005). Emotional intelligence predicts life skills, but not as well as personality and cognitive abilities. Personality and Individual Differences, 39, 1135–1145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brackett, M. A., & Mayer, J. D. (2001). Measures of emotional intelligence. Poster presented at the 3rd annual Positive Psychology Summit, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brackett, M. A., & Mayer, J. D. (2003). Convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity of competing measures of emotional intelligence. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29, 1147–1158.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brackett, M. A., Mayer, J. D., & Warner, R. M. (2004). Emotional intelligence and its relation to everyday behaviour. Personality and Individual Differences, 36, 1387–1402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brackett, M. A., Rivers, S. E., Shiffman, S., Lerner, N., & Salovey, P. (2006). Relating emotional abilities to social functioning: A comparison of self-report and performance measures of Emotional Intelligence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91, 780–795.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ciarrochi, J., Chan, A., & Caputi, P. (2000). A critical evaluation of the emotional intelligence construct. Personality and Individual Differences, 28, 539–561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conn, S. R., & Rieke, M. L. (1994). The 16PF fifth edition technical manual. Champaign, IL: Institute for Personality and Ability Testing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dantas, M., & Noronha, A. P. (2006). Emotional intelligence: Validity discriminant between MSCEIT and 16 PF. Cadernos de Psicologia e Educação Paideia, 16(33), 59–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davitz, J. R. (1964). The communication of emotional meaning. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, A. L., & Carroll, S. A. (2004). Using an ability-based measure of emotional intelligence to predict individual performance, group performance, and group citizenship behaviours. Personality and Individual Differences, 36, 1443–1458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day, A. L., & Kelloway, K. E. (2004). Emotional intelligence in the workplace: Rhetoric and reality. In G. Geher (Ed.), Measuring emotional intelligence: Common ground and controversy (pp. 219–241). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Easterbrook, J. A. (1959). The effect of emotion on cue utilization and the organization of behavior. Psychological Revue, 66, 183–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, P. (1972). Universals and cultural differences in facial expressions of emotion. In J. Cole (Ed.), Nebraska symposium on motivation, 1971 (pp. 207–283). Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, P. (1994). Strong evidence for universals in facial expressions: A reply to Russell’s mistaken critique. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 268–287.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, P., & Friesen, W. V. (1975). Unmasking the face: A guide to recognizing the emotions from facial cues. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, P., Friesen, W., O’Sullivan, M., & Chan, A. (1987). Universals and cultural differences in the judgments of facial expressions of emotion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 712–717.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elfenbein, H. (2006). Learning in emotion judgements: Training and cross-cultural understanding of facial expressions. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 30(01), 21–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elfenbein, H., & Ambady, N. (2002). On the universality and cultural specificity of emotion recognition: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 128, 203–235.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elfenbein, H, & Ambady, N. (2003). When familiarity breeds accuracy: Cultural exposure and facial emotion recognition. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85, 276–290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, M. (1996). Thoughts without a thinker. London: Duckworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faigin, G. (1990). The artist’s complete guide to facial expressions. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fatt, J., & Howe, I. (2003). Emotional intelligence of foreign and local university students in Singapore: Implications for managers. Journal of Business and Psychology, 17(3), 345–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. (1988). The ways of coping questionnaire. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frois-Wittmann, J. F. (1930). The judgment of facial expression. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 13, 113–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fromme, D., & O’Brien, C. (1982). A dimensional approach to the circular ordering of the emotions. Motivation and Emotion, 6(4), 337–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giles, S. J. S. (2001). The role of supervisory emotional intelligence in direct report organizational commitment. Unpublished manuscript, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence. New York: Bantam Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J. J. (1999). Emotion regulation: Past, present, future. Cognition and Emotion, 13, 551–573.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanin, Y. L. (2000). Individual zones of optimal functioning (IZOF) model: Emotion-performance relationships in sport. In Y. L. Hanin (Ed.), Emotions in sport (pp. 65–90). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, L., Jones, J. G., & Gould, D. (1996). Understanding psychological preparation for sport: Theory and practice of elite performers. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hupka, R., Zaleski, Z., Otto, J., Reidl, L., & Tarabrina, N. V. (1997). The colors of anger, envy, fear, and jealousy: A cross-cultural study. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 28(2), 156–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Isen, A., Clark, M., Shalker, T., & Karp, L. (1978). Affect, accessibility of material in memory, and behaviour: A cognitive Loop? The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36(1), 57–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Izard, C. E. (1971). The face of emotion. East Norwalk, CT: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jausovec, N., & Jausovec. K. (2005). Sex differences in brain activity related to general and emotional intelligence. Brain and Cognition, 59, 277–286.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jausovec, N., Jausovec, K., & Gerlic, I. (2001). Differences in event related and induced EEG patterns in the theta and alpha frequency bands related to human emotional intelligence. Neuroscience Letters, 311, 93–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • John, O. P., & Srivastava, S. (1999). The Big Five trait taxonomy: History, measurement, and theoretical perspectives. In L. A. Pervin & O. P. John (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 102–138). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, M. V. (2003). Controlling emotions in sport. The Sport Psychologist, 17, 471–486.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kafetsios, K. (2004). Attachment and emotional intelligence abilities across the life course. Personality and Individual Differences, 37, 129–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanne, D. W. (2006). Emotional intelligence and the transformational learning journey of 30 senior pastors who participated in lead. Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences, 66(8-A), 2962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemper, T. (1987). How many emotions are there? Wedding the social and autonomic components. American Journal of Sociology, 93(2), 263–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, R., Garvin, J., Heaton, N., & Boyle, E. (2006). Emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 27, 265–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landy, F. J., & Conte, J. (2004). Work in the 21st century: An introduction to industrial and organizational psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S. (2000). How emotions influence performance in competitive sports. The Sport Psychologist, 14, 229–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, R. W. (1994). Human emotion: A functional view. In P. Ekman & R. Davidson (Eds.), The nature of emotion: Fundamental questions (pp. 123–126). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Livingstone, H. A., & Day, A. L. (2005). Comparing the construct and criterion-related validity of ability-based and mixed-model measures of emotional intelligence. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 65, 757–779.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopes, P. N., Brackett, M. A., Nezlek, J. B., Schütz, A., Sellin, I., & Salovey, P. (2004). Emotional intelligence and social interaction. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 30, 1018–1034.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lopes, P. N., Salovey, P., Cote, S., & Beers, M. (2005). Emotion regulation abilities and the quality of social interaction. Emotion, 5,113–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lopes, P., Salovey, P., & Straus, R. (2003). Emotional intelligence, personality, and the perceived quality of social relationships. Personality and Individual Differences, 35(3), 641–658.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacCann, C., Matthews, G., Zeidner, M., & Roberts, R. (2004). The assessment of emotional intelligence: On frameworks, fissures, and the future. In G. Geher (Ed.), Measuring emotional intelligence: Common ground and controversy (pp. 21–52). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malatesta, C. Z., & Izard, C. E. (1984). Emotion in adult development. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandler, G. (1975). Mind and emotion. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marquez, P., Martin, R., & Brackett, M. (2006). Relating emotional intelligence to social competence and academic achievement in high school students. Psicothema, 18 Suppl., 118–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto, D. (1989). Cultural influences on the perception of emotion. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 20, 92–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto, D. (1992). American-Japanese cultural differences in the recognition of universal facial expressions. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 23, 72–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, G., Emo, A. K., Funke, G., Zeidner, M, Roberts, R. D., & Costa, P. T. (2006). Emotional intelligence, personality, and task-induced stress. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 12, 96–107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, G., Roberts, R., & Zeidner, M. (2004). Seven myths about emotional intelligence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(3), 179–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, G., Zeidner, M., & Roberts, R. D. (2002). Emotional intelligence: Science and myth. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J. D. (2000). Emotion, intelligence, emotional intelligence. In J. P. Forgas (Ed.), The handbook of affect and social cognition (pp. 410–431). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum & Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J. D., Caruso, D., & Salovey, P. (1999). Emotional intelligence meets traditional standards for an intelligence. Intelligence, 27, 267–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J. D., Caruso, D., & Salovey, P. (2000). Selecting a measure of emotional intelligence: The case for ability scales. In R. Bar-On & J. D. Parker (Eds.), Handbook of emotional intelligence (pp. 320–342). New York: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J. M., & Geher, G. (1996). Emotional intelligence and the identification of emotion. Intelligence, 22, 89–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J. D., Salovey, P., & Caruso, D. R. (1999). Instruction manual for the MSCEIT Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, research version 1.1. Toronto, Canada: Multi-Health Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J., Salovey, P., & Caruso, D. (2002). Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test manual. Toronto: Multi-Health Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J., Salovey, P., & Caruso, D. (2008). Emotional intelligence: New ability of eclectic traits. American Psychologist, 63(6), 503–517.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J., Salovey, P., Caruso, D., & Sitarenios, G. (2003). Measuring emotional intelligence with the MSCEIT V2.0. Emotion, 3(1), 97–105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J. D., & Stevens, A. (1994). An emerging understanding of the reflective (meta-) experience of mood. Journal of Research in Personality, 28, 351–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McEnrue, M., & Groves, K. (2006). Choosing among tests of emotional intelligence: What is the evidence? Human Resource Development Quarterly, 17(1), 9–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary (9th ed.). (1983). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, L. M., Fink, J. S., & Pastore, D. L. (2004). Qualitative investigation of intercollegiate coaches' perceptions of altruistic leadership. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport Marketing, 75(1), A-121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H. (1988). Coping responses inventory manual. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oatley, K., & Duncan, E. (1992). Incidents of emotion in daily life. In Ken T. Strongman (Ed.), International review of studies on emotion (Vol. 2, pp. 249–293). Oxford, England: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Conner, R. M., & Little, I. S. (2003). Revisiting the predictive validity of emotional intelligence: Self-report versus ability-based measures. Personality and Individual Differences, 35, 1893–1902.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orlick, T., & Partington, J. (1988). Mental links to excellence. The Sport Psychologist, 2(2), 105–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ortony, A., Clore, G. L., & Collins, A. (1988). The cognitive structure of emotions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, B., Gignac, G., Manocha, R., & Stough, C. (2005). A psychometric evaluation of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test Version 2.0. Intelligence, 33(3), 285–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papadogiannis, P., Logan, D., Gervais, M., & Mann, D. T. Y. (2007). The impact of emotional intelligence on athletes’ level of attention. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association International Convention, San Francisco, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parrott, W. G. (1991). The emotional experience of envy and jealousy. In P. Salovey (Ed.), The psychology of jealousy and envy (pp. 3–30). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, W. G., Jr. (1968). Patterns of development in thought and values of students in a liberal art college: A validation of a scheme. Cambridge, MA: Bureau of Study Counsel, Harvard University. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 024315).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pham, M. T. (2007). Emotion and rationality: A critical review and interpretation of empirical evidence. Review of General Psychology, 11(2), 155–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plutchik, R. (1984). Emotions and imagery. Journal of Mental Imagery, 8(4), 105–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Resnicow, J. E., Salovey, P., & Bruno B. H. (2004). Is recognition of emotion in music performance an aspect of emotional intelligence? Music Perception, 22, 145–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rimé, B., Philippot, P., & Cisamolo, D. (1990). Social schemata of peripheral changes in emotion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59(1), 38–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosete, D., & Ciarrochi, J. (2005). Emotional intelligence and its relationship to workplace performance outcomes of leadership effectiveness. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 26, 388–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sala, F. (2002). Emotional competence inventory: Technical manual. Philadelphia: McClelland Center for Research, HayGroup.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. (1990). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition, and Personality, 9, 185–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, K., & Wallbott, H. (1994). Evidence for universality and cultural variation of differential emotion response patterning. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(1), 55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schutte, N. S., Malouff, J. M., Hall, L. E., Haggerty, D. J., Cooper, J. T., & Golden, C. J. (1998). Development and validation of a measure of emotional intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences, 25, 167–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, Herbert A. (1982). The role of expectations in an adaptive or behavioristic model. In Models of bounded rationality (Vol. 2). Cambridge, MA and London: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thayer, R. E. (1996; Paperback ed. 1997). The origin of everyday moods. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vega, L., & Redondo, L. (2003). Historical reconstruction and fundamental categories of a new paradigm: Emotional intelligence. Universitas Psychólogica, 2(2), pp. 137–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warwick, J., & Nettelbeck, T. (2004). Emotional intelligence is…? Personality and Individual Differences, 37(5), 1091–1100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (1999). Wechsler abbreviated scale of intelligence. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinberger, L. (2002). Emotional intelligence: Its connection to HRD theory and practice. Human Resource Development Review, 1(2), 215–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuste, C. (2002). Inteligencia General Factorial-Revisada 5 (IGF-r 5). Madrid: EOS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeidner, M., Shani-Zinovich, I., Matthews, G., & Roberts, R. D. (2005). Assessing emotional intelligence in gifted and non-gifted high school students: Outcomes depend on the measure. Intelligence, 33, 369–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, M., Lipets, M. S., Koivumaki, J. H., & Rosenthal, R. (1975). Encoding and decoding nonverbal cues of emotion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 32, 1068–1076.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter K. Papadogiannis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Papadogiannis, P.K., Logan, D., Sitarenios, G. (2009). An Ability Model of Emotional Intelligence: A Rationale, Description, and Application of the Mayer Salovey Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). In: Parker, J., Saklofske, D., Stough, C. (eds) Assessing Emotional Intelligence. The Springer Series on Human Exceptionality. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88370-0_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics