The ability to accurately read others emotions should further contribute toward potential
opportunities for interaction and the maintenance of social relationships. In our previous studies,
we have found that people high in EI reported experiencing less loneliness (Sj€oberg & Engelberg,
submitted for publication) and a better balance between work and family/leisure (Sj€oberg, 2001a).
Prior studies thus lead us to the expectation that an accurate perception of others emotional
states is related to a greater degree of social adjustment. The kind of emotional competence
associated with EI should hence have implications for the ability to attain a richer and more
varied social life.