Personality Correlates of Emotional Intelligence: A Study of Gender Differences

Abstract

The study aimed at examining the relationship between personality and emotional intelligence on the basis of gender. The study was conducted on 200 students (100 boys and 100 girls). The sample was drawn from different colleges of Kurukshetra district of Haryana. The age of the participants ranged from 17 and 21 years. The participants were administered the Neo-Five Factor Inventory and, multidimensional measure of emotional intelligence. The results indicated significant difference in scores of neuroticism, extraversion and conscientiousness for males and females. Results also demonstrated significant differences in scores of self-awareness and empathy for both the genders. Different dimensions of emotional intelligence have shown significant relationships with different measures of personality, for both the genders. The findings of the study clearly suggest strong relationship between emotional intelligence dimensions with the Big Five and support emotional intelligence as a significant predictor of the Big Five personality dimensions. Therefore, it seems plausible that strategies enhancing the understanding and management of emotions may play great role in shaping well adjusted personalities.