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Motivating emotional intelligence: A reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) perspective

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Abstract

Trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) is generally associated with positive outcomes and can inform clinical and social interventions. We investigated the sub-factors of trait EI: Wellbeing, Self-control, Emotionality, and Sociability, in the context of the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) of motivation. In Study 1, participants (N = 247) completed Carver and White’s (J Personal Soc Psychol 67:319–333; Carver, White, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 67:319–333, 1994) BIS/BAS scales and a measure of trait EI. All EI sub-factors were positively associated with BAS Drive and negatively with BIS. Study 2 (N = 382) employed a new questionnaire based on revised RST (Corr and Cooper, Psychol Assess 28:1427–1440; Corr, Cooper, Psychological Assessment 28:1427–1440, 2016). All trait EI factors were positively associated with BAS Goal-Drive Persistence and Reward Interest, and negatively with the BIS. Self-control showed negative associations with BAS Impulsivity and was the only factor not to correlate with BAS Reward Reactivity. Results suggest that high trait EI individuals are goal driven, sensitive to reward and lower in avoidance motivation and negative emotion. This motivational basis to trait EI further explicates its structure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK

    Alison M. Bacon

  2. Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK

    Philip J. Corr

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  1. Alison M. Bacon
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  2. Philip J. Corr
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Correspondence to Alison M. Bacon.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Bacon, A.M., Corr, P.J. Motivating emotional intelligence: A reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) perspective. Motiv Emot 41, 254–264 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-017-9602-1

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