(Reading People) Flashcards
7 cards from real Emotional Intelligence practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 (Reading People) flashcards as text
Which principle from Emotional Intelligence theory explains why people who are skilled at reading others also tend to regulate their own emotions better?
Answer: Interoceptive accuracy and self-awareness
Interoceptive accuracy—the ability to sense one's own internal bodily states—underpins both self-awareness and the capacity to accurately detect emotional states in others.
When someone uses filler words like 'um' and 'uh' much more than usual, it most reliably indicates:
Answer: Cognitive overload, uncertainty, or emotional discomfort
Increased use of filler words often signals cognitive load or emotional distress as the brain struggles to manage competing demands—thinking, speaking, and managing emotions simultaneously.
In the context of reading people, what does 'baseline behavior' mean and why is it important?
Answer: A person's typical, relaxed behavioral patterns used as a reference for detecting changes
Establishing a baseline—how someone normally behaves when relaxed—allows you to detect meaningful deviations that may signal stress, deception, or emotional change.
Which emotional reading error involves attributing another person's behavior primarily to their character rather than their situation?
Answer: Fundamental attribution error
The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overweight character or disposition and underweight situational factors when explaining others' behavior, leading to inaccurate people-reading.
A skilled people-reader notices that a speaker's hand gestures stop completely mid-story. What does this pause in gesture most likely indicate?
Answer: The speaker is experiencing a moment of emotional suppression or cognitive strain
Gestures are closely linked to speech production and emotional engagement; sudden cessation often signals that cognitive or emotional resources are being redirected internally.
Which describes the concept of 'emotional residue' when meeting someone after a difficult event?
Answer: Lingering feelings from a previous interaction affecting current emotional expression
Emotional residue refers to how emotions from a prior event bleed into current interactions, meaning someone may appear angry or sad for reasons unrelated to the present conversation.
When reading someone's trustworthiness, which combination of signals is most reliable according to research?
Answer: Vocal tone, facial expressiveness, and behavioral consistency over time
Trustworthiness is best inferred from a combination of authentic vocal tone, congruent facial expressions, and observed behavioral consistency across multiple contexts over time.