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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended for diagnostic use. LifeDNA does not provide diagnostic reports on any traits discussed. Genetics is just one piece of the puzzle; please consult a healthcare professional for comprehensive guidance on any health condition.
You’ve probably heard that being “book smart” isn’t enough to do well in life. But what if your ability to understand emotions and bounce back from stress is something you’re actually born with? Emotional Intelligence Statistics reveal that Emotional Quotient or EQ drives over 60% of personal and professional success, and may even account for 70% of a person’s life achievements. On top of that, people with high EQ enjoy better mental health and less daily stress. So, could emotional intelligence be hardwired into your genes? In this article, we uncover the genetic side of EQ and how it may shape your emotional health.
Emotional intelligence, often called EQ, is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It’s not just about being aware of how you feel. It’s about knowing why you feel that way and how those emotions influence your behavior.
You may also want to read: Is Intelligence Genetic?
There are five key components of emotional intelligence, and these skills are important in every part of life, from your career to your personal relationships. When you develop emotional intelligence, it helps you communicate better, resolve conflicts more effectively, and support your overall emotional well-being. Here are the five components:
Self-Awareness: When you are self-aware, you can identify what you’re feeling in the moment and why you’re feeling that way. This helps you see how your emotions influence your actions, decisions, and interactions with others. Self-awareness allows you to recognize both your strengths and weaknesses, giving you the insight to grow, make better choices, and respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.
Self-Regulation: This is the ability to manage and control your emotional responses, especially in challenging or stressful situations. It doesn’t mean suppressing emotions but learning how to express them appropriately and constructively. People who practice self-regulation can pause and think before reacting, stay calm under pressure, and avoid making impulsive decisions they might regret. This skill helps create emotional balance, allowing you to stay focused, adaptable, and in control of your behavior, even when emotions are running high.
Motivation: refers to the inner drive that pushes you to pursue goals and improve yourself—not because of external rewards, but because you find purpose and satisfaction in what you’re doing. People with high emotional intelligence are usually self-motivated; they set personal goals, stay positive, and bounce back from setbacks. This kind of motivation is fueled by passion, curiosity, and a desire for growth, helping individuals stay focused and determined even when facing obstacles.
Empathy: goes beyond sympathy or simply feeling sorry for someone—it’s about putting yourself in another person’s shoes and seeing things from their perspective. When you practice empathy, you become more sensitive to how others are feeling, which helps you respond with care, kindness, and respect. Empathy is crucial in building meaningful relationships, resolving conflicts, and creating a supportive environment, whether at work, at home, or in your community.
Social Skills: are the abilities that help you communicate, connect, and interact effectively with others. They include listening actively, expressing yourself clearly, managing conflict, and working well in a team. Good social skills allow you to build strong, healthy relationships and navigate social situations with ease. People with high emotional intelligence use their social skills to influence, inspire, and support others while fostering collaboration and trust in both personal and professional settings.
Researchers in Russia recently explored whether certain genes could affect a person’s emotional intelligence or emotional quotient. The study focused on four genes: COMT, BDNF, DRD2, and HTR2A. To measure emotional intelligence accurately, they used the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). This method is considered more reliable than self-reported questionnaires because it evaluates real emotional skills rather than personal opinions.
Their results showed some interesting connections. The COMT gene, which influences how long brain chemicals like dopamine stay active, appeared to play a role. People who had the heterozygous Val158Met genotype (SNP rs4680-AG) in this gene scored higher on emotional intelligence tests. This specific genetic variant may help people regulate their emotions better and stay focused when recognizing emotions in others.
When looking at the BDNF gene, which is involved in brain flexibility and learning, the researchers found no clear link to emotional intelligence, although earlier studies suggested there might be a connection.
Another dopamin-related gene they examined was DRD2, which affects the number of dopamine D2 receptors in the brain. These receptors are important for motivation, reward, and emotional processing. The study found that people with the CC genotype of the SNP rs1800497 near the DRD2 gene, who have more dopamine receptors, scored higher on emotional intelligence tests. On the other hand, those with the CT genotype had lower scores. Previous research has also shown that having fewer dopamine receptors may be linked to emotional difficulties and a higher risk of developing addictions.
The final gene studied was HTR2A, which is related to serotonin receptors. Serotonin is another brain chemical that helps regulate mood and emotions. The researchers discovered that people with the AA genotype of the SNP rs6311 near this gene scored higher on emotional intelligence tests, while those with the GG genotype scored lower. It is possible that the homozygous AA variant helps the brain have more serotonin receptors, making it easier to understand and manage emotions.
The study showed that some people may naturally find it easier to handle emotions because of their genetics, especially due to variants in genes related to dopamine and serotonin—chemicals often called the brain’s “feel-good” messengers. However, the researchers also pointed out that emotional intelligence is not only shaped by genetics. Life experiences, education, and training play a big role in developing these skills.
Knowing how genetic variation might influence emotional intelligence can help explain why some people are naturally better at handling emotions, but it also shows that anyone can improve with the right support and practice.
While there may be some genetic influence on emotional intelligence, it is not the whole story. Unlike IQ, which stays mostly the same throughout adulthood and is largely inherited, emotional quotient is made up of many skills that can be learned and improved over time.
In fact, developing emotional intelligence is similar to learning any other skill. With practice and willingness to change, anyone can become better at recognizing emotions, managing feelings, and building stronger relationships. Studies have even shown that training can improve a person’s emotional intelligence and that these improvements can last for months. So, emotional intelligence is not totally fixed at birth. You can definitely strengthen your EQ through learning, practice, and being open to personal growth.
While some parts of emotional intelligence may be shaped by your genes, much of it can be learned and improved through practice. If you want to strengthen your emotional intelligence, here are some useful steps:
