The 5 meta-factors and 15 sub-factors of the Bar-On model

Date of publication: 04/18/2007

From Darwin to the present, most descriptions, definitions and conceptualizations of emotional-social intelligence have included one or more of the following key components, all of which are included in the Bar-On conceptual model: (i) the ability to understand emotions as well as express our feelings and ourselves; (ii) the ability to understand others’ feelings and relate with people; (iii) the ability to manage and control our emotions; (iv) the ability to manage change and solve problems of an intrapersonal and interpersonal nature; (v) the ability to generate positive mood and be self-motivated. These meta-factors of the conceptual model of emotional-social intelligence are referred to as follows in the Bar-On measures of this model:

Intrapersonal (self-awareness and self-expression)
Interpersonal (social awareness and interaction)
Stress Management (emotional management and control)
Adaptability (change management)
General Mood (self-motivation)

Each of these 5 meta-factors comprises a number of closely related competencies, skills and facilitators (15 in all), which are listed and briefly defined below.

INTRAPERSONAL (self-awareness and self-expression):

Self-Regard (being aware of, understanding and accepting ourselves)
Emotional Self-Awareness (being aware of and understanding our emotions)
Assertiveness (expressing our feelings and ourselves nondestructively)
Independence (being self-reliant and free of emotional dependency on others)
Self-Actualization (setting and achieving goals to actualize our potential)

INTERPERSONAL (social awareness and interaction):

Empathy (being aware of and understanding how others feel)
Social Responsibility (identifying with and feeling part of our social groups)
Interpersonal Relationship (establishing mutually satisfying relationships)

STRESS MANAGEMENT (emotional management and control):

Stress Tolerance (effectively and constructively managing our emotions)
Impulse Control (effectively and constructively controlling our emotions)

ADAPTABILITY (change management):

Reality Testing (validating our feelings and thinking with external reality)
Flexibility (coping with and adapting to change in our daily life)
Problem Solving (generating effective solutions to problems of an intrapersonal and interpersonal nature)

GENERAL MOOD (self-motivation):

Optimism (having a positive outlook and looking at the brighter side of life)
Happiness (feeling content with ourselves, others and life in general)

The above meta-factors and sub-factors are defined in detail below:

INTRAPERSONAL:

This meta-factor of emotional-social intelligence comprises Self- Regard, Emotional Self-Awareness, Assertiveness, Independence and Self-Actualization as defined below. This meta-factor relates primarily to self-awareness and self-expression, governing our ability to be aware of our emotions and ourselves in general, to understand our strengths and weaknesses, and to express our feelings and ourselves nondestructively. It determines how in touch we are with our emotions and feelings, our ability to feel good about ourselves, and to feel positive about what we are doing in our lives and with their lives. People who have high intrapersonal capacity are emotionally self reliant, are able to express their feelings, and are strong and confident in conveying their opinions and beliefs.

Self-Regard:

This intrapersonal sub-factor is defined as the ability to accurately perceive, understand and accept ourselves. Self-regard is the ability to respect and accept ourselves as basically good. Respecting ourselves is liking the way we are; and self-acceptance is the ability to accept our perceived positive and negative aspects as well as our limitations and possibilities. This conceptual component of emotional-social intelligence is associated with general feelings of security, inner strength, self-assuredness, self-confidence and feelings of self-adequacy. Feeling sure of ourselves is dependent upon self-respect and self-esteem, which are based on a fairly well-developed sense of identity. A person with good self-regard feels fulfilled and satisfied. At the opposite end of the continuum are feelings of personal inadequacy and inferiority.

Emotional Self-Awareness:

This intrapersonal sub-factor is defined as the ability to be aware of and understand our emotions. Emotional self-awareness is the ability to recognize our emotions. It is not only the ability to be aware of our emotions, but also to differentiate between them, to know what we are feeling and why, and to know what caused those feelings. Serious deficiencies in this area are found in an emotional disorder known as alexithymia, which is at the pathological end of the EI continuum.

Assertiveness:

This intrapersonal sub-factor is defined as the ability to constructively express our feelings and ourselves in general. This is the ability to express feelings, beliefs and thoughts and to defend our rights in a nondestructive manner. Assertiveness is thus composed of three basic components: (i) the ability to express our feelings; (ii) the ability to express beliefs and opinions; and (iii) the ability to stand up for our rights and not to allow others to bother or take advantage of us. Assertive people are not overly controlled or shy, and they are able to outwardly express their feelings (often directly) without being aggressive or abusive.

Independence:

This intrapersonal sub-factor is defined as the ability to be self-reliant and free of emotional dependency on others. This is the ability to be self-directed in our thinking and actions and to be free of emotional dependency. Independent people are self-reliant in planning and making important decisions. They may, however, seek and consider other people’s opinions before making decisions; but consulting with others is not a sign of dependency in this regard. Independence is, moreover, the ability to function autonomously versus needing protection and support from others. Independent people avoid clinging to others in order to satisfy their emotional needs. The ability to be independent rests on our degree of self-confidence, inner strength as well as a desire to meet expectations and obligations without becoming a slave to them.

Self-Actualization:

This intrapersonal sub-factor is defined as the ability to set personal goals and the drive to achieve them in order to actualize our potential. Fundamentally, self-actualization pertains to the ability to realize our potential capacities. It is manifested by becoming involved in pursuits that lead to a meaningful, rich and full life. Striving to actualize our potential involves developing enjoyable and meaningful activities and can mean a lifelong effort and an enthusiastic commitment to long-term goals. Self-actualization is an ongoing, dynamic process of striving toward maximum development of our competencies, skills and talents. This is associated with persistently trying to do our best and trying to improve ourselves in general. Additionally, excitement about our interests energizes and motivates us to continue these interests. Self-actualization is also associated with feelings of self-satisfaction. Low levels of self-actualization are associated with depression.

INTERPERSONAL:

This meta-factor of emotional-social intelligence comprises Empathy, Social Responsibility and Interpersonal Relationship as defined below. It relates primarily to social awareness, skills and interaction. This meta-factor is, essentially, concerned with our ability to be aware of others’ feelings, concerns and needs, and to be able to establish and maintain cooperative, constructive and mutually satisfying relationships. Those who function well in this area tend to be responsible and dependable. They understand, interact with and relate well with others. They inspire trust and function well as part of a team.

Empathy:

This interpersonal sub-factor is defined as the ability to be aware of and understand how others feel. It is being sensitive to what, how and why people feel the way they do. Being empathetic means being able to ‘emotionally read’ other people. Empathetic people care about other people and show interest in and concern for them. Serious deficiencies in empathy are fundamental for diagnosing psychopathy.

Social Responsibility:

This interpersonal sub-factor is defined as the ability to identify with our social group and cooperate with others. Social responsibility is the ability to demonstrate ourselves as cooperative, contributing and constructive members of our social group (in the family, among friends and at work). This involves acting in a responsible manner, even though we may not benefit personally. Socially responsible people possess ‘social consciousness’ and a basic concern for others, which is manifested by being able to take on group- and community-oriented responsibilities. This component of emotional-social intelligence is associated with doing things for and with others, accepting others, acting in accordance with our conscience and upholding social rules. These people have acquired a sense of interpersonal sensitivity and are able to accept others and use their talents for the good of the collective (and not just for the good of the self). Individuals who are seriously deficient in this ability may entertain antisocial attitudes, act abusively towards others and take advantage of people.

Interpersonal Relationship:

This interpersonal sub-factor is defined as the ability to establish and maintain mutually satisfying relationships and relate well with others. Mutual satisfaction describes meaningful social interactions that are potentially rewarding and enjoyable for those involved. Being adept in interpersonal relationship skills is characterized by giving and receiving warmth and affection and conveying intimacy. This component of emotional-social intelligence is not only associated with the desirability of cultivating friendly relations with others, but with the ability to feel at ease and comfortable in such relationships and to possess positive expectations concerning social interaction. This social skill is based on sensitivity towards others, a desire to establish relations as well as feeling satisfied with relationships.

STRESS MANAGEMENT:

This meta-factor comprises Stress Tolerance and Impulse Control as defined below. This component of emotional-social intelligence relates primarily to emotional management and control and governs our ability to deal with emotions so that they work for us and not against us. People who are adept in this area are able to withstand and effectively cope with stress without losing control. They are typically calm, rarely impulsive and work well under pressure. They can handle tasks that are stressful, anxiety-provoking and even dangerous.

Stress Tolerance:

This stress management sub-factor is defined as the ability to effectively and constructively manage emotions. In essence, stress tolerance is the ability to withstand and deal with adverse events and stressful situations without getting overwhelmed by actively and positively coping with stress. This is based on: (i) choosing a course of action for coping with stress, which means being resourceful and effective, being able to come up with suitable solutions and knowing what to do and how to do it; (ii) an optimistic disposition toward new experiences and change in general as well as towards our ability to successfully overcome the specific problem at hand, which assumes a belief in our ability to face and handle these situations; and (iii) a feeling that we can control or influence the stressful situation. Stress tolerance includes having a repertoire of suitable responses to stressful situations, and it is associated with the capacity to be relaxed and composed and to calmly face difficulties without getting carried away by strong emotions. People who have a well-developed capacity for stress tolerance tend to face crises and problems rather than surrendering to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Anxiety often results when this component of emotional-social intelligence is not functioning adequately.

Impulse Control:

This stress management sub-factor is defined as the ability to effectively and constructively control emotions. More precisely, impulse control is the ability to resist or delay an impulse, drive or temptation to act. It entails a capacity for accepting our aggressive impulses, being composed and controlling aggression, hostility and irresponsible behavior. Problems in impulse control are manifested by low frustration tolerance, impulsiveness, anger control problems, abusiveness, loss of self-control and explosive an unpredictable behavior.

ADAPTABILITY:

This meta-factor of emotional-social intelligence comprises Reality Testing, Flexibility and Problem Solving as defined below. This meta-factor relates primarily to change management -- i.e., how we cope with and adapt to personal and interpersonal change as well as change in our immediate environment. It determines how successful we are able to cope with daily demands by effectively ‘sizing up’ and dealing with problematic situations. People who have a high capacity for adaptability are typically flexible, realistic and effective in understanding problematic situations and competent at arriving at adequate solutions. These people can generally find good ways of dealing with everyday difficulties. Success in this area means that we can grasp problems and devise effective solutions, deal with and resolve various issues as they arise at home, with friends and in the workplace.

Reality Testing:

This adaptability sub-factor governs the ability to objectively validate our feelings and thinking with external reality. This includes assessing the correspondence between what is experienced and what objectively exists. Testing the degree of correspondence between what we experience and what actually exists involves a search for objective evidence to confirm, justify and support feelings, perceptions and thoughts. Reality testing, essentially, involves ‘tuning in’ to the immediate situation, attempting to keep things in correct perspective and experiencing things as they really are without excessive fantasizing or daydreaming about them. The emphasis is on pragmatism, objectivity, the adequacy of our perception and authenticating our ideas and thoughts. An important aspect of this adaptability sub-factor is the degree of perceptual clarity evident when trying to assess and cope with situations; and it involves the ability to focus when examining ways of coping with situations that arise. Reality testing is associated with a lack of withdrawal from the outside world, a tuning into the immediate situation, and lucidity and clarity in perception and thought processes. In simple terms, reality testing is the ability to accurately ‘size up’ the immediate situation.

Flexibility:

This adaptability sub-factor represents the ability to adapt and adjust our feelings, thinking and behavior to new situations. This entails adjusting our feelings, thoughts and behavior to changing situations and conditions. This component of emotional-social intelligence refers to our overall ability to adapt to unfamiliar, unpredictable and dynamic circumstances. Flexible people are agile, synergistic and capable of reacting to change without rigidity. These people are able to change their minds when evidence suggests that they are mistaken. They are generally open to and tolerant of different ideas, orientations, ways and practices.

Problem Solving:

This adaptability sub-factor governs the ability to effectively solve problems of a personal and interpersonal nature. Problem solving entails the ability to identify and define problems as well as to generate and implement potentially effective solutions. It is multi-phasic in nature and includes the ability to go through the following process: (i) sensing a problem and feeling confident as well as motivated to deal with it effectively; (ii) defining and formulating the problem as clearly as possible which necessitates gathering relevant information; (iii) generating as many solutions as possible; and (iv) implementing one of the solutions after weighing the pros and cons of each possible solution and choosing the best course of action. People who are adept at problem solving are often conscientious, disciplined, methodical and systematic in persevering and approaching challenging situations. This skill is also associated with a desire to do our best and to confront problems, rather than avoiding them.

GENERAL MOOD:

This meta-factor of emotional-social intelligence comprises Optimism and Happiness as defined below. This meta-factor is closely associated with self-motivation. It determines our ability to enjoy ourselves, others and life in general, as well as influences our general outlook on life and overall feeling of contentment. People who are adept in this facilitator of emotional-social intelligence are typically cheerful, hopeful, positive, well motivated and know how to enjoy life. In addition to being an essential element in interacting with others on a daily basis, this facilitator of emotionally and socially intelligent behavior is an important motivational component for managing emotions and solving problems of an intrapersonal and interpersonal nature.

Optimism:

This general mood sub-factor is defined as the ability to maintain a positive and hopeful attitude toward life even in the face of adversity. It is represents a positive approach to daily living and a very important motivating factor in whatever we do. Optimism is the opposite of pessimism, which is a common symptom of depression.

Happiness:

This general mood sub-factor is defined as the ability to feel content with ourselves, others and life in general. It is the ability to feel satisfied with our life, enjoy others and have fun. In this context, happiness combines self-satisfaction, general contentment and the ability to enjoy life. This component of emotional-social intelligence involves the ability to enjoy various aspects of our life and life in general. Happy people often feel good and at ease in both work and leisure; they are able to ‘let their hair down’ and enjoy the opportunities for having fun. Happiness is associated with a general feeling of cheerfulness and enthusiasm. Happiness acts as a barometric indicator of our overall degree of emotional and social functioning telling us how we are doing in general; it also functions as a powerful facilitator and motivational factor for various aspects of emotional-social intelligence. The inability to experience happiness and difficulties in generating positive affect in general are often indicative of dissatisfaction, discontent and depressive tendencies.