Constructive Thinking: The Key to Emotional Intelligence

Rating:
Summary: A Testimonial to the Power of Constructive Thinking
Review: "Constructive Thinking: The Key to Emotional Intelligence" by Seymour Epstein is easily the best "self-help" book I've ever read. Having said this, I must add that I am somewhat reluctant to classify it as a "self-help book" for several reasons. First, unlike most books of this genre, this book is based on extensive research. Dr. Epstein is a distinguished psychologist who is highly esteemed in the field. Second, "self-help" books often tend toward superficiality, promising much more than they can deliver. In contrast, this book has remarkable depth. It explains a great deal about our intuitive mind, which Epstein refers to as an "experiential mind" that learns from lived experience and which he contrasts with our "rational mind," which operates by logical inference and learns from books and lectures. He makes a compelling case for our experiential mind being the major source of emotional intelligence, but, unlike some other writers on emotional intelligence, he does not slight intellectual intelligence, but takes a balanced approach. He notes that intuition and intellect each has its advantages and limitations, and that they are best used to supplement and correct each other. If we are to be truly rational, Epstein states, we must be in touch with our experiential mind, for this is the most effective way to compensate for its limitations and profit from and implement its creativity and other virtues. He therefore concludes that it no less important to understand and train our experiential mind as to educate our rational mind, and he provides the procedures and exercises for doing so. Unlike many researchers and academics who are prone to arcane writing styles that often alienate the lay reader, Epstein is able to convey his theory and procedures in a most articulate and clear fashion. I cannot state strongly enough how well-written this book is, a quality which is made more remarkable given the comprehensive range and in-depth treatment of the subject matter covered. Among other things, what is so significant and exciting about this book is how much sense it makes. Readers will time and again have a sense of having previously intuitively understood what is conveyed. It will ring true with their experience, although they might not have been able to articulate it before. With this book, Epstein has offered a fascinating, practical guide to understanding human behavior, and, equally important, a guide for initiating and automatically maintaining adaptive behaviors and thinking patterns. Along with many helpful examples, exercises are provided to further self-exploration and insight, which are key in bringing about lasting improvement in emotional intelligence. As a doctoral student in psychology, I plan to recommend this book to my future clients, and to incorporate many of Epstein's ideas into my work... as well as my own life!

Rating:
Summary: a book about thinking rather than emotions
Review: In 1998, when Epstein wanted to update his book "You're Smarter Than You Think: How to Develop Your Practical Intelligence for Successful Living" (1993), he decided to add 2 rather academic chapters discussing Goleman's and others' views on Emotional Intelligence. Epstein's view is that emotions (as opposed to "moods") always occur after thinking, even if the thinking may be "unconcious" at most occasions. This view is the opposite from what others, such as Goleman write: they argue thinking come after emotions. Of course, both parties have "evidence" to back up their claims. My sugestion: the two views are useful!

The previous paragraph indicates that Epstein's book ONLY covers the "constructive thinking" part of developing emotional intelligence, and if you want a book for that, I must say that he did a great job, building on the work of rational-emotive theraphy and cognitive psychology. He includes a very interesting questionnaire which helps you to figure out how constructive your current thinking is and gives you tools to avoid boby traps of automatic thinking and to recognize typical patterns of destructive thoughts. Unfortunately, this book is too limited to be "the" book to increase your EQ in all its aspects.

Rating:
Summary: a book about thinking rather than emotions
Review: In 1998, when Epstein wanted to update his book "You're Smarter Than You Think: How to Develop Your Practical Intelligence for Successful Living" (1993), he decided to add 2 rather academic chapters discussing Goleman's and others' views on Emotional Intelligence. Epstein's view is that emotions (as opposed to "moods") always occur after thinking, even if the thinking may be "unconcious" at most occasions. This view is the opposite from what others, such as Goleman write: they argue thinking come after emotions. Of course, both parties have "evidence" to back up their claims. My sugestion: the two views are useful!

The previous paragraph indicates that Epstein's book ONLY covers the "constructive thinking" part of developing emotional intelligence, and if you want a book for that, I must say that he did a great job, building on the work of rational-emotive theraphy and cognitive psychology. He includes a very interesting questionnaire which helps you to figure out how constructive your current thinking is and gives you tools to avoid boby traps of automatic thinking and to recognize typical patterns of destructive thoughts. Unfortunately, this book is too limited to be "the" book to increase your EQ in all its aspects.

Rating:
Summary: A Testimonial to the Power of Constructive Thinking
Review: Several years ago I took a course on coping with stress and negative emotions with Dr. Epstein which used an earlier version of this book. The concepts Dr. Epstein presents in this book are powerful and life-transforming. This book provides exercises based on solid theory and research that enable the reader to unlock the potential each of us have for being happier and healthier individuals. By reading this book and taking Dr. Epstein's class, I learned to use my rational self to redirect my emotional self to deal with the events that caused me stress and to restructure my reactions to these events. Constructive thinking has helped me to lead a happier life and to deal with difficult situations (e.g., graduate school, relationships) in a much more positive and less stressful way. I recommend this easy to read book to people who want make a significant change in their lives, to academics/teachers who want to change their students' lives, and to clinicians to help their clients.

Rating:
Summary: A book of great potential, both in application and research
Review: Seymour Epstein's latest book (a revised and expanded "You're Smarter Than You Think...")has taken the earlier version to new heights, to new insights which connect significantly with and most-nearly parallel what theologians might call God-given human free-will and continuous creation. Epstein takes issue with the idea set forth by Daniel Goleman ("Emotional Intelligence") that improvement in one's experience of emotions ceases with the onset of adulthood, as if adults are incapable of further growth and development, or of re-creating their lives. Epstein's book make clear that using one's emotions productively can be learned and practiced at any stage of life. This is important news! It means that an old dog can learn new tricks! It means that humans are capable of making free-will decisions about the way in which they respond to the world, no matter what their age! It means we humans can be accountable for our behavior but not blameworthy! That news is particularly important for Vietnam combat veterans with Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder. It means that even though they are not responsible for having the disorder, they can be held accountable for dealing with it, and can make intelligent decisions about how they will deal with its emotional and spiritual impacts. As Epstein concludes, constructive thinking is a way to heal the personal and social crises of our time. He describes our rational-logical thinking side as the key to recognition of our emotional side - to knowing that "love feels better than hate and that it is to our advantage to nurture the development of love in ourselves and in others." With this statement, Epstein opens the door to the spiritual side of healing for us all. How we choose to walk through, or not to walk through, that door is a matter of exercising our human God-given free-will and the choice to re-create our lives unhindered by the past.

Rating:
Summary: Developing Emotional Intelligence thro'constructive thinking
Review: This is one authentic book which shows practical ways to enhance emotional intelligence. The art of controlling emotions so that maximum benefit is derieved in daily happenings is well explained in the book. The book right through stresses the need for implementing the 'understanding' and the strategies explained are practical and implementable. The author has given a questionnaire to test the level of one's constructive thinking called Consructive Thinking Inventory.

I am drawn to the book because of its 'application-value'and to the chapter (VIII) dealing with achieving success in the workplace through constructive thinking - which is the need of the hour for all the executives and workers alike. The book also explains how constructive thinking can reduce stress and increase interpersonal adjustment, thus increasing one's emotional intelligence and control. The book has a wealth of conceptual wisdom on thinking and its effect on emotional well-being of people. One of the very well researched books to go through.

Prof.Dr.B.Janakiram, Mgmt.Dept. MSRIT.Bangalore.India

Rating:
Summary: Developing Emotional Intelligence thro'constructive thinking
Review: This is one authentic book which shows practical ways to enhance emotional intelligence. The art of controlling emotions so that maximum benefit is derieved in daily happenings is well explained in the book. The book right through stresses the need for implementing the 'understanding' and the strategies explained are practical and implementable. The author has given a questionnaire to test the level of one's constructive thinking called Consructive Thinking Inventory.

I am drawn to the book because of its 'application-value'and to the chapter (VIII) dealing with achieving success in the workplace through constructive thinking - which is the need of the hour for all the executives and workers alike. The book also explains how constructive thinking can reduce stress and increase interpersonal adjustment, thus increasing one's emotional intelligence and control. The book has a wealth of conceptual wisdom on thinking and its effect on emotional well-being of people. One of the very well researched books to go through.

Prof.Dr.B.Janakiram, Mgmt.Dept. MSRIT.Bangalore.India