Comparison of Emotional Intelligence Levels and Problem Solving Skills of Prospective Teachers According to Different Variables

Abstract

IQ is considered as a true criterion of intelligence while emotional intelligence is considered as a decisive in order to
be happy and successful in life. It is of interest to the educational system that emotional intelligence can be
developed at the same time. Emotional intelligence gained in the family will help to improve the school life,
overcome the obstacles that people will encounter in their lives and solve the problems. In this study, emotional
intelligence levels and problem solving skills of the prospective teachers were examined according to different
variables. In this study, the cross sectional survey design was used to investigate the research questions with 1033
prospective teachers, 813 of whom were women and 220 were men, who agreed to participate in the study. The study
group was chosen from the students of education faculty of the public university located near the black see region of
Turkey. As a means of collecting data, the Bar-On Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Problem Solving Scale, and the
Personal Information Form were used to obtain data from the participants. As a result of the study, the problem
solving skills of prospective teachers don’t differ according to gender and the class level; It was also found that
emotional intelligence did not differ according to gender and the class level, but it had a significant difference
according to age and department variables. In line with these results, in order to educate teachers with high level of
emotional intelligence and problem solving skills, attention should be paid to the emotional characteristics of the
teacher candidates. The change of emotional intelligence with different factors should be examined in follow up
studies.