An item response theory analysis of the ability emotional intelligence test (MSCEIT).

Abstract

Despite the ability approach has been indicated as the most promising for investigating emotional intelligence (EI), there is scarcity of tests measuring EI as a form of intelligence. Research has employed practically the only standardized test available, which is the Mayer Salovey Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test or MSCEIT. This implies that conclusions about the value of EI as a meaningful construct and about its utility in predicting outcomes rely on the properties of this test. We employed an Item Response Theory approach to test whether individuals who have the highest probability of choosing the most correct response on any item of the test are also those who have the strongest EI ability. Results showed that the MSCEIT is best suited to discriminate between persons at the low end of the trait. Furthermore, for certain items the answer indicated by expert as the most correct was not associated with the highest ability. Results are discussed in light of applied and theoretical considerations