MSCEIT 2: Enhancing Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

The MSCEIT 2 logo next to an image of three people in a meeting, with one person standing up, looking down and listening to the rest of the group. Within the image, there are floating emoticons and icons around the people.

MSCEIT 2: Enhancing Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

MHS is thrilled to announce the release of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test™ Second Edition (MSCEIT® 2).

The term emotional intelligence (EI) has become a part of our everyday language, with most of us having an intuitive sense of what it means to exhibit EI. However, what many may not realize is that this groundbreaking concept originated with Jack Mayer and Peter Salovey, two members of the MSCEIT author team.

In 1990, Mayer and Salovey introduced the world to the revolutionary idea that human intelligence extends beyond solving problems in the physical environment—it includes the ability to solve problems involving other people. They defined EI as the capacity to reason about emotions and emotion-related information to enhance thinking.

To bring this concept to life, Mayer and Salovey launched the original MSCEIT® in 2002, the first commercially available tool designed to objectively measure EI in adults. Since its release, the MSCEIT has earned international recognition as a trusted and widely accepted EI assessment.

While many subsequent measures of EI have framed it as a set of personality traits or behavioral tendencies, Mayer, Salovey, and Caruso’s approach remains grounded in the concept of EI as a cognitive ability—the capacity to perceive, connect, understand, and manage emotions effectively. The MSCEIT 2, the latest evolution of this trusted tool, stays true to this foundational framework while incorporating new insights and research to better serve users across industries and applications.

Why did MHS revise the original MSCEIT? 

Over the last two decades, valuable feedback from users worldwide highlighted opportunities to refine and improve the original MSCEIT. The MSCEIT 2 builds on this input, incorporating the latest EI research to meet the evolving needs of professionals across industries and disciplines.

The MSCEIT 2 remains a versatile and comprehensive tool designed to be used alongside other sources of information. Its applications span diverse settings, including workplace environments (e.g., employee development, leadership coaching, and selection), research initiatives, educational programs, and clinical contexts. With these updates, the MSCEIT 2 reaffirms its role as the gold standard for understanding and applying emotional intelligence in meaningful, actionable ways.

What are the key features of the MSCEIT 2? 

  • An updated theoretical model, along with a refinement of the conceptualization of the Connecting Emotions domain. 
  • New question designs that incorporate a variety of question types or different multimedia stimuli to increase individual engagement and ease of use.
  • Updated item content for equity and inclusion by focusing on fairness (regarding gender and race/ethnicity, among other variables) throughout the development process.
  • Practice questions at the beginning of each set of questions to familiarize test takers with the performance-based nature of the assessment and the design of each type of question.
  • Information about a test taker’s perceived performance on the MSCEIT 2, giving test administrators insights into whether test takers are expecting a higher (or lower) score on the assessment.
  • Shortened administration time, with the average completion time for the MSCEIT 2 being approximately 30 minutes.
  • Updated normative data applicable to a diverse group of adults concerning age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, and geographic region throughout the U.S. and Canada.
  • New veridical scoring system, designed by a multidisciplinary and multicultural panel of emotion research experts that assesses the correctness of test takers’ chosen answers.
  • New reports designed for two different audiences. Designed for the test taker, the Client version of the MSCEIT 2 Individual Report is visually appealing, user-friendly, and provides developmental strategies that are applicable to real-life contexts. Designed for the test administrator, the Coach version of the Individual Report is loaded with useful information about the test taker, their assessment experience, validity indicators, and supplemental scores, all of which are additional ways to dive deeper into a test taker’s results.
  • New and more flexible certification program that includes more self-paced eLearning modules to accommodate the busy schedules of test administrators, while still providing extensive opportunity for hands-on practice through an eight-hour instructor-led training session.

Enhancing emotional intelligence across organizational settings 

The MSCEIT 2 is a versatile tool that can be applied in various organizational settings to enhance EI and improve overall performance. Here are some key applications:

  • Employee Development: The MSCEIT 2 can be used to assess and develop employees’ EI, helping them to better understand and manage their own emotions as well as those of others. This can lead to improved communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills.
  • Leadership Coaching: By evaluating the EI of leaders, the MSCEIT 2 can provide valuable insights into their strengths and areas for improvement. This information can be used to tailor coaching programs that enhance leaders’ ability to inspire and motivate their teams.
  • Selection and Recruitment: The MSCEIT 2 can be incorporated into the hiring process to identify candidates with high EI, which is linked to better job performance and interpersonal skills. This can help organizations select individuals who are more likely to succeed in roles that require strong emotional and social competencies.
  • Research Initiatives: Organizations can use the MSCEIT 2 in research studies to explore the impact of EI on various outcomes, such as job satisfaction, employee engagement, and organizational performance. This can provide valuable data to inform HR strategies and practices.
  • Educational Programs: The MSCEIT 2 can be integrated into training and development programs to teach employees about EI and its importance in the workplace. This can foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

The MSCEIT 2 is poised to significantly impact various organizational settings by enhancing EI and driving performance improvements. Providing a reliable and comprehensive assessment of EI empowers employees and leaders to better understand and manage emotions, leading to more effective communication and collaboration. This tool’s versatility ensures it can be seamlessly integrated into employee development, leadership coaching, recruitment, and research initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Ultimately, the MSCEIT 2 stands as a valuable asset for organizations aiming to cultivate a more emotionally intelligent and high-performing workforce.

Learn more about the MSCEIT 2, visit our storefront page.

Have more questions? Get in touch with a member of our team!

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