RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND MANIPULATIVE BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

Manipulative behaviour refers to tactics used to influence, control, or exploit others for personal gain. Emotional Intelligence (EI), typically understood as the capacity to perceive, understand, and manage emotions, is widely regarded as a positive trait linked to empathy and healthy social functioning. However, recent perspectives argue that EI may be amoral, meaning it can be used ethically or unethically depending on individual motives. This paper examines the conceptual relationship between EI and manipulative behaviour, highlighting how emotional skills may either promote prosocial interactions or be strategically weaponized to exploit others. The discussion integrates theoretical models of EI, personality constructs such as the Dark Triad, and social influence mechanisms to explain how EI enables both supportive and deceptive interpersonal dynamics. The paper concludes that EI itself is value-neutral; it is the presence or absence of empathy and ethical reasoning that determines whether EI fosters connection or manipulation.