The 4 domains of emotional intelligence

Four competencies that cross two questions: is the emotion yours or someone else's, and are you perceiving or managing it? Get to know each one and discover yours.

The idea of emotional intelligence was born with Salovey and Mayer (1990) and gained its four-branch model in 1997. Goleman (1995) popularized four practical domains, organized in a matrix with two dimensions — emotions in me × in others and perceive × manage: self-awareness and self-management (your own emotions), empathy and social skills (other people's). They build in a chain: knowing yourself supports managing yourself, which supports perceiving others, which supports handling relationships. And the good news: unlike IQ, emotional intelligence can be developed. Click any domain to understand what it is and how to grow in it.

Emotions in me

your own emotions — perceiving and managing them. It is the internal foundation of emotional intelligence.

SASelf-AwarenessPerceiving and understanding your own emotions.SMSelf-ManagementRegulating impulses, staying calm and bouncing back.

Emotions in others

other people's emotions — perceiving them and handling relationships well. It is the social face of emotional intelligence.

EMEmpathyPerceiving and understanding others' emotions.SSSocial SkillsUsing emotions to handle relationships and resolve conflict.

How is your emotional intelligence?

Take the free test — 24 statements across the four domains, no sign-up, with tips for development.

Take the test →

Important. The test measures your self-perception (trait EI), not your actual ability, and emotional intelligence is trainable. Based on Mayer & Salovey, Goleman and Petrides, with original items. A self-knowledge estimate, not a diagnosis; it does not replace a formal psychological assessment by a licensed professional.