The correlation of emotional intelligence with shyness among university students

im The aim of the current study was to determine any possible association between emotional intelligence and shyness among university students. Method Study population was consisting of all the students at Sharif University of Technology in the year 2009. A sample of 300 students was chosen using a multi-step sampling design. Two questionnaires were used on the sample a questionnaire on emotional intelligence by Bar-On (1997), a questionnaire measuring shyness, by Zimbardo (1990) To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, were employed. Results Finding showed that 14.3 percent of students were below the mean for shyness while 70 percent scored around the average. 15.7 percent of them were labeled as shy. Emotional intelligence were negatively associated with shyness and it was possible to predict shyness from emotional intelligence scores. Interpersonal relationship, independence and self-regard were better predictors of shyness than problem solving, happiness, stress tolerance, self actualization, emotional self- awareness, reality testing, optimism, impulse control, flexibility, social responsibility, empathy, and assertiveness. Conclusion Emotional intelligence seems to influence shyness so that students with high emotional intelligence experience less shyness.