Acceptance of the concept of emotional intelligence faces resistance for several reasons. Firstly, there is no standardized definition of what constitutes emotional intelligence, leading to varied interpretations ranging from abilities to manage emotions to forms of social intelligence. The lack of a clear definition complicates its systematic measurement and study. Furthermore, the tools used to assess emotional intelligence are often criticized for being neither valid nor reliable, often being confused with measures of personality traits or social skills, which calls into question whether emotional intelligence is truly a distinct form of intelligence.
There is also skepticism about its relevance, with some experts arguing that other factors such as cognitive intelligence, experience and opportunities may be more critical to success. Critics also suggest that characteristics commonly associated with emotional intelligence could be better described as known personality traits.
Finally, the emphasis on emotions can be seen as an imbalance that ignores other crucial aspects of human functioning, such as logical reasoning and cognitive abilities, suggesting that a more comprehensive approach could be more effective in promoting well-being and performance.
