Emotional Intelligence (EI) has become a topic of vast and growing interest worldwide and is concerned with the ways in which we perceive, identify, understand, and manage emotions. It is an aspect of individual difference that can impact a number of important outcomes throughout a person's lifespan. Yet, until now there were no authoritative books that bridge the gap between scholarly articles on the subject, often published in obscure professional journals, and the kind of books found in the pop-psych sections of most large bookstores. This book fills that gap, addressing the key issues from birth through to old age, including the impact of EI on child development, social relationships, the workplace, and health. It is a useful introduction to the academic study of EI, including its history as a concept.