Table Of ContentGENDER DIFFERENCES IN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: ARE YOU AS SMART
AS YOU THINK EMOTIONALLY?
LIM TZE SHIN
A RESEARCH PROJECT
SUBMITTED IN
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE (HONS) PSYCHOLOGY
FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
APRIL 2011
ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
I would gratefully acknowledge the encouragement and supervision of Dr Kok Jin
Kuan who is candid and provided ongoing source of ideas and insights in completing my
research study in the constructive manner. Her tireless and prompting scrutiny provided
guidance and direction in this complexity of qualitative and qualitative research.
The study would not be possible without the participants of undergraduates’
psychology students from University Tunku Abdul Rahman. I am grateful for their
participants and patience during the collection of data, which has made significant
findings in this study.
My coursemates have been very patience and incredibly supportive in allowing
me to seek their help whenever questions stroked me during completion of this study.
Finally, to one of my close companion, she has never once complained about the intrusion
that I brought to her. I thank her for the time and understanding by listening to my
problems with endurance in spite of her busy daily routine and backing me up each time I
felt like collapsing.
I appreciate and grateful tremendously on the assistances and contributions by
each of you.
LIM TZE SHIN
Approval Form
This research paper attached hereto, entitled “Gender Differences in Emotional
Intelligence: Are You as Smart as You Think Emotionally? ” prepared and submitted
by “Lim Tze Shin” in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Social
Science (Hons) Psychology is hereby accepted.
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_____________________ Date: _____________
Supervisor
DR KOK JIN KUAN
ABSTRACT
The emotional intelligence (EQ) has been linked to positive aspects (e.g., self esteem,
achievement, and psychological well-being) of an individual. Importance of gender
differences in actual and self-perceived EQ level help to understand these aspects. The
sample of this study comprised of 60 undergraduates’ students (30 males and 30 females)
from University Tunku Abdul Rahman. By using stratified random sampling under
probability sampling, Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-
SF) and qualitative survey questions have been utilized to measure actual and self-
perceived EQ level in gender. Findings indicated that there is no significant gender
difference in actual and self-estimated EQ level. However, both genders perceived males
have higher EQ level compared to females where seven main themes (emotionality,
cognition/mentality, personality/characteristic, biology, self-control, culture/belief, and
research findings) of explanation have been clinched. Discussion focuses on genders’
perception differences and future study on implications and corollaries of such thinking
pattern should be investigated.
DECLARATION
I declare that the material contained in this paper is the end result of my own work and
that due acknowledgement has been given in the bibliography and references to ALL
sources be they printed, electronic or personal.
Name : LIM TZE SHIN
Student ID: 08AAB02449
Signed : ____________________
Date : 1st April 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT i
DECLARATION ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS iii
LIST OF TABLES v
LIST OF FIGURES vi
CHAPTERS
I INTRODUCTION 1
Background of Study 1
Statement of Problem 2
Significant of Study 3
Objectives of Study 3
Definitions of Concepts 4
Research Questions 5
Hypotheses 5
II LITERATURE REVIEW 7
Research Models 7
Gender Differences in Actual Level of EQ 10
Gender Differences in Self-Perceived EQ 11
Factors on Gender Differences in Self-Perceived EQ 12
Factors on Gender Differences in Actual EQ 13
III METHODOLOGY 16
Participants 16
Measures 16
Emotional Intelligence Instruments 17
Procedures 19
Data Analysis 19
IV FINDINGS & ANALYSIS 20
Hypothesis 1 27
Hypothesis 2 21
Hypothesis 3 23
V DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION 28
Discussion 35
Limitations of Study 32
Recommendations for Future Research 33
Conclusion 34
REFERENCES 35
Appendix A Questionnaire 41
Appendix B Original Data 43
Appendix C Results 49
LIST OF TABLES
Tables Page
1 Bar-On’s Model of Emotional Intelligence 9
2 The 15 Subscales/Facets in TEIQue-SF 17
3 30-Items in TEIQue-SF under Four Factors 18
4 Independent Sample t-Test for Gender and Actual Level of EQ 20
5 Frequency (Percentage) of Self-Perception on Which Gender has The 21
Higher Level of EQ
6 Self-Perceived Reasons Supporting Male has Higher EQ Level by 23
Both Genders
7 Self-Perceived Reasons Supporting Female has Higher EQ Level by 26
Both Genders
LIST OF FIGURES
Figures Page
1 Mayer and Solovey’s Four Branch Model of Emotional Intelligence 8
2 Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence Competencies 10
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of Study
Over the past decade, researchers have been studying on the gender differences in
Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Since the publication of the best selling book ‘Emotional
Intelligence’ by Daniel Goleman (1995), this book has raises attention of this topic due to
the extensive research presented (as cited in Petrides & Furnham, 2000). Throughout
these years, numerous studies have been conducted to gain a better insight into this topic.
This present study aimed to replicate one of the studies by K.V. Petrides and Adrian
Furnham. They have examined on gender differences in actual and self-estimated scores
on trait EQ. The results showed that in estimating their own EQ, males rated themselves
higher EQ than females. While for actual scores on EQ, females scored higher on
particularly ‘social skills’ than males, but as a whole, there is no significant between
genders (Petrides & Furnham, 2000).
According to Petrides and Furnham (2000), it is important for us to understand
why there are gender differences in EQ to have implications on health, education and
psychotherapy. For example, positive self-estimation (High EQ) is related to
psychological adjustment and self-esteem, whereas negative self-evaluation could be
related to depression.
Another study looked into the underlying reasons on gender differences as well.
Nature and nurture factors have resulted in different levels of EQ between genders. Other
than that, they found that females generally higher EQ than males, but their self-
perception on EQ lower than males (Sanchez-Nunez, Fernandez-Berrocal, Montanes, &
Latorre, 2008).
Description:Apr 1, 2011 30-Items in TEIQue-SF under Four Factors. 18. 4 .. They were asked to follow
the instructions and answer all of the questions. The items in.
