Possibilities of improving emotional intelligence through SPID Training

Presented at the 11th European Congress of Psychology OSLO

INTRODUCTION
The aim of this study is to analyse the methodological characteristics of the training as a method, the definitions and specific characteristics of emotional intelligence, and the possibilities for its improvement through training, with a special emphasis on the SPID system as a possible approach to the improvement of emotional intelligence.

OBJECTIVES
Can the main competencies that make up emotional intelligence be developed through training?

Do the exercises done during this training improve and develop a whole scale of emotions that are experienced through personal and social interactions?

What factual methods, instruments does this work imply? How effective is this change and how long does it last?

METHODS
Study Group

The subjects the sample were 27 middle level managers (experimental group) and 25 middle level managers (control group) from Romania who have participated in two SPID trainings (SPID1 and SPID2)

Instrumentation: SPID system and method
SPID is an acronym, each letter signifies behaviour and the communication strategy related to these:

S (Sympathy) – getting sympathy
P (Partnership) – managing partnerships
I (Information) – getting information,
D (Defensivity) – assertion of rights

The two axles used for the representation of the SPID system of co-ordinates are the SP and the ID axles, which can be regarded as the analogy of the emotional and rational intelligence and along which 4 main types can be identified: master, peacemaker, warrior and revolutionary.

The SPID system was developed by Merényi and Co. Training (www.merenyi.hu) and utilised by M&Co. Europe Training ( www.mcotraining.ro ) from Romania.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
After the training in experimental group we have recorded significant changes in the factors evaluated in the Bar-On test in the intra- and interpersonal scales, in the dimensions of

self-confidence(t=-10,231, p=0,000)
self-awareness (t=-5,828 , p=0,000)
empathy (t=-9,277, p=0,000)
interpersonal relations (t=-3,039, p=0,005)
social responsibility(t=-6,195 , p=0,000)
optimism (t=-7,610 , p=0,000).

In control group we have recorded significant changes in the factors:
optimism (t=-7,610 , p=0,000).
self-confidence(t=-6,192, p=0,000)

Developement in SPID dimensions:
10 Master (4 => SP, 5 => SP, ID)
14 Peacemaker (8 SP, ID => Master, 4 => SP, 2 => ID)
2 Warrior (2 =>SP)
1 Revolutionary (1 SP)

CONCLUSIONS
The present study analyzes the SPID system as a possible approach to the improvement of emotional intelligence. The outcome of the research points explicitly to the fact that the emotional intelligence can be developed in intra- and interpersonal scales, in the dimensions of self-confidence, self-awareness, empathy, interpersonal relations, social responsibility and optimism.

The significant change in interpersonal scale is due to learning from feed-back, and in the intrapersonal scale due to training-realization.

In the scale of adaptation and stress managament there are no significant changes, because the concrete utilisation like problem solving, reality testing and flexibility need more training. Their utilization leads later to development in emotional self-awareness, independence and self-actualization dimensions. The Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory and the SPID method are self-report measuring instruments that depend on self-knowledge.