The International Journal of Transformative Emotional Intelligence: Research, Theory and Practice
The development of emotional intelligence (EI) is important for life success and happiness. This article defines and demonstrates links between emotional intelligence (EI) and actor training. Until now, only general associations have been made linking actor training and social abilities. In this
... [Show full abstract] quantitative design, pretest and posttests scores on the dependent variable, the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), were compared after one semester to see if actor training had any impact on EI ability. The three levels of the independent variable included a Sanford Meisner actor training group, a nonMeisner actor training group, and a special interest actor training group. No significant difference in MSCEIT scores were found in this pilot study based on the training approaches. Reasons for the findings may be that significant EI development may take more than one semester and/or a different, mixed-methods model is needed to conceptualize EI. Through this article I explore the notion that EI skills are very similar to those taught in the arts and provide suggestions for further research to investigate this powerful relationship. The human condition is elevated when individuals engage in processes that develop themselves in personally meaningful, positive ways.
