The effects of emotional intelligence on visual search of emotional stimuli and emotion identification

Angela N. Fellner, Gerald Matthews, Gregory J. Funke, Amanda K. Emo, Moshe Zeidner, Juan Carlos Pérez-Gonzalez, Richard D. Roberts

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to competencies in processing and managing emotion that may be important in security settings; facial emotions may betray criminals and terrorists. This study tested the hypothesis that high EI relates to superior detection and processing of facial emotion, in relation to two tasks: controlled visual search for designated facial emotions, and identification of micro-expressions of emotion. Participants completed scales for EI, as well as cognitive intelligence, personality, and coping. EI failed to predict performance on either task, contrary to the initial hypothesis. However, performance related to higher cognitive intelligence, the personality trait of openness, and use of task-focused coping. These measures related to faster visual search, and to greater accuracy in detecting facial micro-expressions. Practical considerations suggest selecting security agents who are high in conventional rather than emotional intelligence, and training use of task-focused coping. However, EI may be useful for selecting stress-tolerant agents.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication51st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2007
    Pages845-849
    Number of pages5
    StatePublished - 2007
    Event51st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2007 - Baltimore, MD, United States
    Duration: 1 Oct 20075 Oct 2007

    Publication series

    NameProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
    Volume2
    ISSN (Print)1071-1813

    Conference

    Conference51st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2007
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityBaltimore, MD
    Period1/10/075/10/07

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Human Factors and Ergonomics

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