How Feelings Make Us Smarter
Summary
Host Shankar Vedantam interviews Yale psychologist Peter Salovey, a co-creator of emotional intelligence, to explore how emotions fuel rational decision-making. Salovey shares anecdotes about Bill Clinton and his own leadership challenges at Yale to illustrate the power of empathy. The episode explains the RULER framework for recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating emotions, arguing that these skills are crucial for success and can be cultivated through practice.
Topics discussed
Bobby Fischer's chess brilliance and emotional self-sabotage
Introduction to Peter Salovey and the logic of emotion
Bill Clinton's emotional intelligence in easing Peter's nerves
Renaming Calhoun College: empathy and shifting perspectives
The history of emotional intelligence vs. rational thought
Defining and measuring emotional intelligence (MSCEIT)
Emotional intelligence in the workplace and brain science
The RULER method for teaching emotional skills
Improving emotional intelligence through arts and practice
Myths of emotional intelligence and episode conclusion
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