Comparing two EI measures: TEIQue and WLEIS

Abstract

Both TEIQue-SF and WLEIS are self-report EI measures, but developed based on different EI models. TEIQue-SF was based on the Trait EI model by Petrides and Furnman (2001) which posits that EI is located at lower level of personality domains whereas WLEIS was based on the mixed EI model by Salovey and Mayer (1990) that EI is a set of mental abilities that process affective information and some dispositional aspects. In the current study, these two measures are compared in terms of incremental validity over five personality factors in predicting empathy, autistic trait and life satisfaction. Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were conducted. The results showed that TEIQue have incremental validity on empathy, autistic trait and life satisfaction over five personality factors whereas WLEIS only have incremental validity on empathy and life satisfaction. From the results, it was suggested that both TEIQue and WLEIS capture the individual differences in the ability for perceiving and understanding emotions in others. However, WLIES do not fully cover the sampling domains defined for TEIQue (e.g. Well being) thus it was concluded that at the moment TEIQue is more adequate Trait EI measure than WLEIS. For the future direction, it was suggested to conduct the comparison of Trait EI measures with criterion variables at factor level to reveal precise relationships. Also it was suggested to use objective variables such as health or finance status for criterion variables