Learning Emotional Intelligence at School 

‘Emotional intelligence’ or EQ is our ability to understand and manage our own feelings, as well as those of other people. EQ is linked to many positive social outcomes – but the way our children learn these skill remains unclear. Families play a role, but what about schools? Given that children spend so much time in the classroom, how do their teachers influence these important abilities?

Professor Ian Evans from the School of Psychology at Massey University and his colleagues have been awarded a Marsden grant to find out how teachers can facilitate the development of children’s emotional intelligence. The research team has already identified five different ways in which teachers interact with children that might contribute to the development of EQ. This new grant will enable the team to assess how applicable each of these different styles are in the everyday contexts of schools, and whether they are meaningful across different cultural groups.

Three studies are planned. Firstly, the researchers will work with groups of teachers identified as having a warm, sensitive teaching style, to find out more about what they do in their classrooms. Secondly, the researchers will use positive examples of teacher-student interactions to create teaching modules on interactive DVD. This will form the basis of a teacher professional development programme. Finally, the team will look at the effect this programme has on children. Does it benefit them – and if so, how? Does children’s ability to understand their feelings improve? Does it have positive effects on their interactions with their peers? Can an effect on bullying and behaviour difficulties be measured?

Overall, the research has the potential to inform schools about how they can contribute to the development of children’s EQ, leading to improved classroom behaviour and peer relationships.

Total Funding:    $741,817
Researchers:    Professor Ian Evans, School of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North.
Associates:    Dr Shane Harvey, Massey University
Dr Averil Herbert, University of Waikato
Dr Juliana Raskauskas, Massey University