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3 HOW RESEARCH IMPROVES UNDERSTANDING__
3A Lesson — Research Clarifies the Importance
LESSON ACTIVITIES
To assure that you are building a sufficient in-depth understanding of this lesson, performing the
related activities along with the lesson quiz is essential. This lesson provides EQ vocabulary words
to ponder and memorize— as well as behavioral word studies to explore, and additional journaling
questions to ask. All are designed to contribute toward healthier mind development.
When you learned language skills as a child, you involuntarily memorized the definitions of
thousands of words in order to better express yourself. Your existing familiarity with the many
words that relate to emotional intelligence may make them seem well within your grasp. Yet while
studying EI, further review of words that are emotionally significant will help to raise your
consciousness of their emotional value for improving the quality of your thoughts and actions.
JOURNALING QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE EACH DAY
As 2A Lesson’s journaling topic indicated, this exercise helps you to pinpoint particulars about
your day that you otherwise wouldn’t consider. These particular questions will improve your
awareness of the quality of recent behaviors By asking yourself these assessment questions each
day and journaling your answers for at least a month, you’ll have a better chance to address your
emotions realistically, with more insured honesty and caution. We are hopeful that the questions
will inspire you to continue your growth in making choices that are healthier, motivating, and
rewarding.
1. What did I purposefully do better today because of what I’m learning about healthy mind
development?
This particular question will assist you in grasping the overall impact of self-monitoring. Being
required to list what you are able to change in practice—because of your awareness and interest in
improving your EQ— should motivate you to make improvements that you otherwise might not
consider. Understanding the theory behind EQ alone doesn’t improve the quality of our actions. We
must also practice what we are learning.
2. What snap judgments did I make today that could contribute toward later consequence?
This question requires us to reflect on the negative impact of emotions that direct the mind
irrationally. Without asking this question each day and being honest about our answer, inappropriate
reactions can go unchecked and allow harmful consequences to result.
BEHAVIORAL WORD STUDY
CHALLENGE
Some words are so significant, emotionally, that they require much more investigation than just
learning their meanings. This lesson’s word study, “Challenge,” is a supplement. You should find
the pdf easy to download and print from the e-ii.org website.
Spending time exploring these kinds of word studies involves investigating each behavioral word’s
important dynamics. By dissecting the particular word study you find in the Activities section of
each upcoming lesson, you will gain clearer understanding. This will help you initiate healthier
thoughts and actions, as well as what you may be doing that blocks improvements.
After reviewing the word “Challenge,” please take note the challenges you do well and ones that
need increased attention and effort. We challenge you to use these word studies to help improve
your behavior.
EQ VOCABULARY WORDS
Please note that the definitions below have been modified slightly from a standard dictionary. We
have included an italicized value statement relevant to each word. Consider reflecting on one of
these seven definitions each day over the next week. Take time to focus on how each word relates
to your thoughts and actions during the day of reflection. These particular words reflect the acute
conscious considerations that self-monitoring and EQ require us to apply. Do spend time
familiarizing yourself with these words and definitions.
1. appreciate- v. To have high regard, to be fully conscious of and aware of something’s value and
meaningfulness; to realize and exercise wise judgment, delicate perception, and keen insight
about worthiness. Therefore, some things worth appreciating can be easily distinguished, felt,
or expressed; others may be more nebulous in their definition, because of subtle complexities of
what is worthy to appreciate. When we consider such healthful regard as appreciation, we
enhance the way we treat others or things. Synonyms. to esteem, to prize, to value, to love.
Antonym. to take value for granted, dislike, neglect, treat with indifference, be unappreciative.
2. faculty- n. The way in which we manifest performance; an ability, natural or acquired, to perform a particular kind of action, detailing, or assessment. The powers of the mind; memory,
reason, speech, and intellect. An inherent capability of the body; seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, speaking, touching, feeling. The powers that contribute toward healthy functioning. Such
ability contributes toward healthy mind development as it distinguishes how well a particular
aspect of the mind is working or how well we are developing a specific skill. Synonyms. skill,
capacity, aptitude, knack, potential.
3. initiative- n. An introductory step or leadership action; a readiness and ability to stimulate an
enterprising action or responsible decision. Such confidence contributes toward a more proactive, rather than passive or reactive approach. Synonyms. leadership, forcefulness, dynamism.
Antonym. lethargic, lazy, indifferent, disinterested.
4. intellect- n. The range of power or faculty of mind by which one thinks and reasons for acquiring knowledge, to know or understand how to apply the mind to build knowledge, especially of
a high or complex order; the capacity to reason, reflect and understand the mind and the world.
Our intellect contributes toward acquiring deeper knowledge about our emotions and strengthening EQ skills. Synonyms. reason, sense, brains, mindfulness.
5. responsible- adj. Answerable, reliable, or accountable, as for something within one’s power,
skill, ability to control, or within one’s management; having the capacity and concern for
healthy and moral decisions; capable of rational thought or action and not easily mesmerized
by emotions. Such a capacity contributes toward healthy efforts, accomplishments, and relationships. Synonyms. liable, competent, honest, capable, reliable, trustworthy. Antonym.
irresponsible, careless, aloof, rebellious, reckless, self-comforting, low-reign.
6. wise- adj. The power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true, right, or healthy;
gaining facts or becoming aware of knowledge that helps improve one’s mind, one’s profession,
or ways to ward off problems, or interacting healthfully. Such power contributes toward healthy
and successful accomplishments and relationships. Synonyms. sensible, prudent, discrete,
sagacious, intelligent. Antonym. unwise, foolish, stupid, idiotic.
7. wits- n. Powers of intelligent observation, keen perception, ingenious contrivance, or the like;
mental acuity, composure, and resourcefulness; to remain alert and observant; to be prepared
for or equal to anything, to employ ingenuity and intellect. Such mindfulness contributes toward
improving self-awareness and other EQ accomplishments that require acute consciousness.
Synonyms. wisdom, sanity, mindfulness. Antonym. illiterate, dimwitted, dullness of mind.