Emotional Intellegence and Decision Making Under Stress

This study investigated the protective effects of emotional intelligence (EI) during decision-making under stress. The researchers assigned 172 participants to either a negative or neutral feedback group and assessed EI, distress, information search prior to choice, and decision-making performance. We predicted EI would be associated with superior decision-making following negative performance feedback. Statistical analysis revealed negative feedback significantly increased distress and was associated with poorer decision-making for easy decisions. Also, EI was indirectly associated with decision-making performance. Participants high in EI accessed decision relevant information more frequently prior to decision-making and greater search frequency predicted superior decision making.