How Stable is Emotional Intelligence

1. Psychologists have always argued about whether character (EQ, etc.) was fixed or variable.  Some would state that an assertive person is always assertive.   Others argue that a person displays different behaviors in response to different settings and that there is no stable trait in the person.  We have found that each person is different in their variability.  Some people are always irritable with others, others are irritable sometimes and patient at other times.  The Simmons Personal Survey shows both the typical tendency as well as the degree of variability.  

2. Another question is whether EQ is static or whether it is changeable.  Again, the anwer depends on the person.  Some people stay the same year after year.   George was hard working at age 18 and at age 68.  Other people go through very significant changes over time - some as a result of their genetic influence as it unfolds, and others as a result of circumstances they encounter.  The Survey shows where one is now and where they are probably moving. 

In general, EQ is highly maleable from birth to age 6.  Some definite personality characteristics can be seen, but most are able to be shaped.  At around age 6, most people have formed some definite patterns on most of their emotional areas.  However, most can usually be shaped with effort.  In adolescence, there is still some shifting in a few areas of personality, particularly as adolescents are questioning particular values and preferences.  By adulthood, most people have gelled into very predictable patterns of behavior.  Yet, even in adulthood, people may respond to strong circumstances by deciding to make changes.  Someone changing back to a previous behavioral pattern will find the change easy to make, while those trying on attitudes and behaviors for the first time will tend to make more gradual progress.