Multidimensional Emotional Intelligence Assessment

Robert P. Tett, Ph.D., Alvin Wang, Ph.D., & Kevin E. Fox, Ph.D. © 2006

The Multidimensional Emotional Intelligence Assessment (MEIA) is a next-generation assessment of Emotional Intelligence (EI) with several valuable and unique qualities that distinguish it from more traditional measures. The MEIA is the only trait-based, self-report measure of EI with distinct coverage of all 10 components of Salovey and Mayer's (1990) influential EI model. Furthermore, the methods of test construction address important shortcomings found in many popular EI assessments.

Applications

• Any application where a comprehensive, trait-based measure of EI is needed.
• Research on emotional intelligence (EI).
• Guidance and career counseling.

Description

The items comprising the MEIA were carefully developed, selected, and refined to minimize the influence of social desirability response bias (tendency to present the self in a favorable light) and acquiescence response bias (tendency to endorse personality statements as true of the self), both of which can seriously undermine the validity of test results. It also contains an Infrequency scale to detect non-purposeful responding.

Distinguishing Features

The test construction method used to develop the MEIA sets it apart from other EI measures currently available on the market. Some of these unique features include:

• Distinct coverage of all 10 facets of Salovey and Mayer's (1990) influential model of EI.
• Minimized susceptibility to socially desirable responding and acquiescence response bias.
• Inclusion of an infrequency scale to detect non-purposeful (invalid) responding.
• Documented content validity, structural validity, and incremental validity.
• Also available in a workplace version - the Multidimensional Emotional Intelligence Assessment - Workplace (MEIA-W) with norms based on over 600 working adults.

MEIA Dimensions

• Recognition of Emotion in the Self
• Regulation of Emotion in the Self
• Recognition of Emotion in Others
• Regulation in Emotion in Others
• Nonverbal Emotional Expression
• Empathy
• Intuition vs. Reason
• Creative Thinking
• Mood Redirected Attention
• Motivating Emotions

Norms

Currently, MEIA norms are based on the responses of 332 American College students, representing a wide range of academic and career interests. Additional normative data is being added monthly.

Reliability

Test-retest reliability coefficients, based on a 4 to 6 week interval ranged from .67 - .88, suggesting stability in test scores over time. Internal consistency reliabilities (alpha) ranged from .75 - .85 for the ten scales, indicating good internal consistency.

Validity

A series of steps was taken to evaluate the validity of the MEIA scales. First, each item was judged by independent experts to be representative of its targeted scale, which supports the scales' content validity. As well, every item on each scale correlates more strongly with all other items on the targeted scale than with total scores on any other scale, including Social Desirability. EI scale scores correlated meaningfully with relevant personality scale scores, which supports convergent validity. Also, EI scale scores were uncorrelated with theoretically unrelated personality scale scores, in support of discriminant validity. Finally, EI scale scores showed low to moderate correlations with Social Desirability.

Internet

The Multidimensional Emotional Intelligence Assessment can be completed at SigmaTesting.Com, our exciting online testing platform that allows you instant local and remote testing and administrative access to a full range of tests and test results.

Prices

Click here for detailed pricing information.

Research Opportunities

We are currently looking for opportunities to expand our normative database for the MEIA. If you are interested in using the MEIA please visit the Specific Research Opportunities page for a detailed description.