Part V: creating the EQ-i 2.0 and EQ 360 2.0

North American Professional Norms

What Effect Does the Professional Norm Have on EQ-i 2.0 or EQ 360 2.0 Scores?

Scoring a client’s or rater’s results with the Professional Norms will generally result in lower scores than those obtained using the General Population Norms. The decrease is not always the same from one subscale to the next and from one score to the next.

Example 1 illustrates the effect on scores of using the different norm options for Jeanine—a 37-year-old female Human Resources Specialist, based in New York. When Jeanine’s coach scored her EQ-i 2.0 results with the General Population Norms, many scores were in the High range (i.e., ≥ 110), including the Total EI score. This means that when Jeanine is compared to the general North American population, she has emotional intelligence that is higher than typical. In contrast, when Jeanine’s coach re-scored her EQ-i 2.0 results using the Professional Norms, her scores mostly fell in the Average range (her scores decreased by 4 to 8 points depending on the scale). This means that Jeanine’s emotional intelligence is fairly typical when compared to other professionals.

Example 1. Jeanine’s EQ-i 2.0 Scores Using General Population and Professional Norms

Note. Shaded cells indicate scores that fall in the High range.

Example 2 illustrates the effect on scores of using the different norm options. Sabrina, a Project Manager based in Toronto, was rated by her Manager, Michael. When Sabrina’s coach scored Michael’s ratings with the General Population 360 Norms, many ratings were in the High range (i.e., ≥ 110), including the Total EI score. This means that when Sabrina is compared to the general North American population, Michael rates her emotional intelligence as higher than typical. In contrast, when Sabrina’s coach re-scored her results using the Professional 360 Norms, Michael’s ratings mostly fell in the Average range (decreased by 2 to 9 points, depending on the scale). This means that Sabrina’s emotional intelligence, as viewed by her manager, is fairly typical when compared to other professionals.

Example 2. Michael’s Ratings for Sabrina’s EQ 360 2.0 Using General Population and Professional Norms

Note. Shaded cells indicate scores that fall in the High range.