The aim of the present article is to determine whether recently shown positive relationships between self-reported emotional intelligence (EI) and morningess preference exist when EI is measured with an ability-based test. In two studies (study 1: N = 206 and study 2: N = 184), we applied two different morningness–eveningness questionnaires and a performance test of EI consisting of four dimensions (perception, understanding, assimilation, managing). The two studies provided similar results indicating that “night owls” have higher EI than “larks”; specifically, evening-oriented subjects showed greater ability in emotion perception and understanding, as compared to morning-oriented individuals. The obtained results were in line with hitherto existing research on chronotype and general intelligence. The results provide further evidence for a cognitive character of ability-based EI and accentuate its different nature when compared to self-reported EI. The main findings are discussed in terms of evolutionary theories of circadian preferences, EI and mental abilities.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Stolarski et al. (2015) studied this question.