Emotional intelligence (EI) is an indicator of a slow life history strategy: A test of ability and trait EI

• Life history (LH) strategy was measured with various indicators.
• Emotional intelligence (EI) was measure with self-report and ability measures.
• The LH strategy factor was significantly related to both EI measures.
• The EI–LH strategy association could not be explained by social desirability.
• A high EI is an indicator of a slow LH strategy.

Life history (LH) theory applied to humans states that individual differences exist in reproductive strategies. A slow LH strategy implies that one invests relatively much into parental care but less so in mating effort. A fast LH strategy implies a reversed pattern (i.e., high mating effort, lower parental investment). It has been hypothesized that due to higher demands of social complexity, slow LH strategist may have higher levels of emotional intelligence (EI). In a sample of N = 201, mainly high-school students, the present study is the first to use well-known ability and trait measures of EI in order to test this hypothesis. Ability and trait measures of EI, as well as a general EI factor, all were significantly related to a slow life history strategy. Findings provide further insight into the characteristics of fast versus slow life history strategies.