Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to use emotions as a
guide to both thinking and behaviour. With children and education, it
is closely linked to the practice of raising 'self-esteem'. By
elevating the individual's responses and reactions , EI is closely
linked to the student-centred learning approach (Child Centred Learning
in the UK).
Student-centred learning emphasizes each
student's interests, abilities, and learning styles, placing the teacher
as a facilitator of learning for individuals rather than for the class
as a whole.
By recognising a different 'pace of learning', SCL places every
child on an equal footing. SCL does not see a child as being 'behind'
or 'less intelligent' than another. Under this regime, a child can be
said to have a higher quota of emotional Intelligence but a lower IQ
than his peers. This disparity of 'intelligences' between one child
and another is not seen as problematic but instead is viewed as a
benign and interesting 'difference'.
In addition to the education system, emotional intelligence has played an increasingly more central role in the workplace. Management and leadership training have seen the concept of emotional intelligence replace reason and judgement as the modus operandi of the workforce. How they relate to each other rather than what they produce.
In addition to the education system, emotional intelligence has played an increasingly more central role in the workplace. Management and leadership training have seen the concept of emotional intelligence replace reason and judgement as the modus operandi of the workforce. How they relate to each other rather than what they produce.
A sop to failure
Emotional intelligence is highly problematic for me for several
reasons. First, I think it is a sop to failure. I have heard teachers
say that a parent need not worry about a child's inability to read
because the same child has a high degree of emotional intelligence. I
have often heard adults say that although they do not read or write,
they have what are called great 'people skills'.
A refusal to exercise judgement
Rather than make uncomfortable and unpopular judgements, we hide behind 'emotional intelligence'. In this case EI means being nice. Seeing the other person's point of view and not judging them. Then if we raise their self esteem in the meantime, then that is all to the good. Making judgements presupposes the use of reason and the absence of emotion. It also presupposes that you have a sense of right and wrong. Judgements, like criticism, make people feel uncomfortable and contradicts the perpetual need to raise self esteem.
Rather than make uncomfortable and unpopular judgements, we hide behind 'emotional intelligence'. In this case EI means being nice. Seeing the other person's point of view and not judging them. Then if we raise their self esteem in the meantime, then that is all to the good. Making judgements presupposes the use of reason and the absence of emotion. It also presupposes that you have a sense of right and wrong. Judgements, like criticism, make people feel uncomfortable and contradicts the perpetual need to raise self esteem.
Displaces Reason for Emotion
How you feel about something is now considered to be more important
than what you think about it. The 'feeling' you have towards something
is seen to be bound with more authenticity, depth and intensity. The
problem is that emotions are inferior as a guide to action and
understanding. This is perpetuated by the fact that an emotional state
is temporary in a way that reason is not. This makes emotion far less
reliable than reason.
It buys into and perpetuates the 'Me, me' culture With
emotion in control, we are far more concerned about ourselves rather
than other people. Just by dint of it being 'your' thought or 'your'
feeling it must be right. and cannot go unchallenged. You can see
this in action when it comes to the problem of 'offence'. If you are
offended, you have the moral authority just by dint of you being
offended. In other words, that which offended you is wrong just because
it upset you.
The offence principle, that is based on the
primacy of emotion, has caused havoc to the right to free speech and
open expression. Even though it can upset some people and is not
necessarily 'nice', reason should not be replaced by emotion when it
comes to teaching, judgement and to understanding.
I look forward to reading your comments
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