What personality type has the lowest emotional intelligence?

Personality and Emotional Intelligence: What the Research Suggests

Emotional intelligence (EI)—the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions—varies from person to person. While no single personality type is universally "low" in EI, research offers some intriguing patterns. One study involving over 500 participants found that certain personality traits tend to correlate with lower emotional intelligence scores.

Specifically, individuals with Introverted, Sensing, and Judging (ISJ) tendencies—such as those identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator—showed lower overall emotional intelligence in the study. This doesn't mean these individuals lack empathy or emotional depth. Rather, they may express or process emotions differently. Introverts, for example, often reflect internally rather than engage outwardly with emotions, which can be misinterpreted as lower emotional awareness.

Sensing types tend to focus on concrete facts and present realities, which might make them less attuned to subtle emotional undercurrents compared to Intuitive types who look for patterns and meanings behind behavior. Judging types, who prefer structure and decisiveness, may prioritize logic over emotional exploration in decision-making, potentially limiting their emotional flexibility in certain situations.

It's important to remember that emotional intelligence is not fixed—it can be developed over time, regardless of personality. While some types may score lower in certain assessments, that doesn’t define their capacity for growth, empathy, or meaningful relationships. The study is just one snapshot, and human emotion is far too complex to fit neatly into categories.

Ultimately, emotional intelligence depends more on self-awareness and effort than on personality alone. With practice, anyone—introvert or extrovert, thinker or feeler—can become more emotionally adept.