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Age and ability-based emotional intelligence: Evidence from the Geneva Emotional Competence Test

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: One criterion for considering emotional intelligence (EI) a true intelligence is the observation of an increase in EI across age. However, findings in this area have been mixed and predominantly based on a single measure, the MSCEIT. This study examined the relationship between age and ability-based emotional intelligence (EI) using the Geneva Emotional Competence Test (GECo) in a sample of 456 adults. Results indicated that total EI increases from early adulthood to approximately age 40 (≈ 9 EQ points), after which it plateaus and shows a modest decline in later adulthood. Notably, the emotion regulation subdimension showed no evidence of decline. Overall, these findings support the view that EI may be considered an intelligence, one that may be shaped by gains in crystallized abilities, but also potentially susceptible to later declines in fluid cognitive functioning.

Source: Intelligence

DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2025.101934

Authors: Gilles E. Gignac, Katja Schlegel

Institutions: The University of Western Australia, University of Bern, Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Psychology

Language: English

Topic: Emotional Intelligence and Performance

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,530

OpenAlex ID: W4411930980

FWCI: 3.341

Cites: 38

Cited by: 3

Related to: 10