Ecological intelligence and emotional intelligence: A conceptual convergence analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46380/rias.v9.e532Keywords:
emotional development, environmental education, human ecology, psychologyAbstract
Although ecological intelligence and emotional intelligence have been studied as independent constructs, their interactions have not yet been systematically explored. In the context of the global ecological crisis, this study aimed to analyze their conceptual convergence through two bibliometric studies in Scopus. Using VOSviewer, cognitive–emotional–behavioral and contextual terms were identified in 91 publications on "ecological intelligence" and in the 100 most-cited publications on "emotional intelligence." The results revealed an explicit convergence in terms such as adaptability, awareness, behavior, decision-making, empathy, regulation, responsibility, social skills, and well-being. These findings describe the intersection between environmental awareness and emotional processes as interconnected dimensions in literature. However, several limitations were identified, including the absence of implicit terms not directly captured by co-occurrence analyses, such as communication, ethics, resilience, education, and teamwork, despite their recognition in both theoretical constructs. The study concluded that consolidating an integrated theoretical framework could advance environmental education and the development of socioemotional competencies in response to contemporary environmental challenges.
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