Emotional Quotient or EQ is one of the ways to measure a person’s ability to be successful in life. The phrase was first developed in the 1980s and asserts that emotional quotient or emotional intelligence is as valuable as intellectual quotient (IQ).

According to theories of brain function, a high emotional quotient means someone is self-confident, self-aware, and able to navigate through trying emotional times. EQ is often tied directly to the degree of success one may have in the workplace and in personal relationships. Some companies offer services to test the emotional quotient of employees.

Intelligence quotient measuring has existed for much longer than EQ measuring. Alfred Binet developed the first modern IQ test in the early 20th century. Since then, many modifications on intelligence quotient testing have been made. Currently an IQ test involves a set of standardized questions for which one receives a score.

While the IQ can measure concepts like logical reasoning, word knowledge and math skills, many feel it is not adequate in measuring creative abilities or emotional abilities. In fact, some with high IQs do not seem to be particularly adept at maintaining relationships or seem socially awkward at best.

For example IQ measurements on most children with autism are typically very high, yet it is well known that these children are burdened by their inability to communicate in other forums. Thus other tests may be administered to evaluate such a child’s ability according to other standardized testing methods.

Intelligence quotient testing is now not administered very frequently, since some feel it merely measures how well people do on IQ tests. Emotional quotient testing is becoming more popular in the workplace since some employers feel it will help predict how well potential employees might do in stressful circumstances.

Some educators and psychologists feel that neither EQ nor IQ testing presents the full picture of a human being. There are other types of intelligence, according to critics, that may be just as important. As well, standardized testing may oversimplify emotional intelligence and response.

Short EQ tests may also fail because people realize they are being tested on their emotional capabilities. While an IQ test may have one definitive answer for each question, people may not truthfully answer questions about their behaviors. So results may be skewed by what people believe they would like employers to know, rather than true responses to questions.

Some psychologists further make distinction between emotional quotient and emotional intelligence. Some feel that we are all born with innate emotional intelligence (EI) that may be perverted by growing up in difficult circumstances, such as an abusive home. However, stronger innate EI in people who have strayed from high emotional quotient might predict how well people from difficult backgrounds might be able to improve EQ.

Most agree that while emotional and intelligence quotient tests may be able to make some statements about an individual, they are too general to really sum up a person’s potential. This does not, however, discourage employers from using emotional quotient tests to make decisions regarding potential new hires to their companies.