Anush KC

Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of being a person is understanding when to utilize socialization and when to utilize emotional intelligence, but understanding the distinction can help one to better navigate through complex situations in life. Being myself a tech student, living abroad balancing work and life, I have felt this many times. People use the terms socialization and emotional intelligence interchangeably, but they are actually two different things. This perception of mine explores the differences between socialization and emotional intelligence, and how making the distinction can help an individual lead better.

The world is full of people who are good at socializing, but are lacking in emotional intelligence. For example, the person who is good at talking to people and being sociable, but lacks the ability to read emotions and manage one’s emotions. On the other hand, the person who is good at keeping emotions under control and being emotionally intelligent, but lacks the ability to talk to people and be sociable like myself. Just like these two people, there are many people who are good at one thing and bad at another, but the key is to understand the difference between socialization and emotional intelligence if someone wants to succeed in today’s advanced and complex society.

 

Most people are familiar with the concept of socialization. It refers to the way in which people learn to behave- follow norms and values in society. Socialization involves learning what is and isn’t acceptable behavior in a particular society or situation. It also involves learning how to interact with other people and how to respond in certain situations. Many people think of emotional intelligence as synonymous with the ability to feel and express emotions. The truth is a bit more nuanced. Emotional intelligence is a term used to describe the ability to identify and understand emotions, manage emotions, and use emotions to accomplish goals. For instance, I was taking to the friend of mine who was having a different perception about a very sensitive topic. It was uncomfortable to clash over discussion, so I decided to choose my emotional intelligence to control my behavior. Both terms are often used interchangeably, but socialization and emotional intelligence are not one and the same. Despite their similarities, socialization and emotional intelligence are quite different, and each plays a vital role in a person’s ability to function within society.

The world we live in today is a very different place than the world we were born into. Advancement and Technology have taken over our lives, and the way we interact with each other has changed dramatically. Gone are the days when people were socialized to be polite, gentle, and quiet, which has caused many to feel overwhelmed and lost. The solution to this problem is the development of social skills, which will enable a person to navigate the world and make sense of the many different situations that arise. What I have felt, when it comes to leadership is that people often think of social skills- charisma- the ability to connect with others. But what about emotional intelligence, or the ability to identify and understand one’s own and others’ emotions, and the ability to use that knowledge to make decisions?

 

The world today is not only complex but also competitive, which has led to a rise in the dependence of emotional intelligence, rather than traditional hard skills like reading and math. People with emotional intelligence are better at managing their emotions, better at reading other people, better at solving problems, and better at working with others.They are better leaders, better team members, and better parents. They are more valued and usually have a more successful life. Emotional intelligence is a fundamental ability in social situations, as well as for professional achievement, and is the basis for the development of interpersonal skills and social awareness.

The significance of either socialization or emotional intelligence depends on age group. During the preschool years, especially, children naturally seek to socialize with their peers, but they become much more independent as they mature. In the teenage years, social skills and emotional intelligence become increasingly important. During the early twenties, socialization is still important, as it helps establish the basic rules of the social world. Socialization may be more important than emotional intelligence in the development of skills and behaviors. In other words, socialization helps develop skills and behaviors needed for success more than emotional intelligence. However, socialization also has a big impact on a person’s emotional intelligence. This means that socialization may also have a big impact on living a happy life.

In order to build a happy life, one needs to maximize socialization, which requires emotional intelligence skills. However, by following the values, norms and culture of our ancestors, one can also achieve a happy and successful life. Our society is no longer the same as our ancestors’, but we can still learn from them. The world today is a complex place, filled with endless distractions and information. In order to succeed in today’s society, you need to be able to navigate through the noise and find the information that will lead to success.

 

To conclude, the differences between socialization and emotional intelligence is one that many people struggle to make. However, understanding the difference between the two can help a person better understand the issue at hand. Both socialization and emotional intelligence are essential for leading a successful and happy life. The world is a complicated place and no one is born with the ability to lead. It’s full of different people, cultures, and beliefs. No two individuals are exactly alike. That’s because, over the course of our lives, we’re exposed to a wide variety of experiences and learn about a wide variety of things. Thus, ability to lead is largely a product of socialization and emotional intelligence.

 

References

Akutina, S., Begantsova, I., Guseva, N., & Shchelina, T. (2022, February). Problems of Personality Socialization: Changing the Value Priorities of Modern Youth. In IX International Scientific and Practical Conference “Current Problems of Social and Labour Relations (ISPC-CPSLR 2021) (pp. 158-164). Atlantis Press.

Cameron, M., Cramer, K. M., & Manning, D. (2020). Relating parenting styles to adult emotional intelligence: A retrospective study. Athens Journal of Social Sciences7(3), 185-196.

 

(The author is currently pursuing Masters of science in information system technology in the US. She can be reached at anushkc97@gmail.com)