Group differences in EI within a sample of black and white South Africans

The Genos Emotional Intelligence Inventory (Genos EI) was examined psychometrically within a sample of Black (N = 393) and White (N = 393) South African (SA) employees. Internal consistency reliabilities were relatively high and similar across both Black and White samples, although there was a trend for lower reliabilities in the Black sample. Overall, the Black and White samples were associated with similar Genos EI means and standard deviations. Based on the differential item functioning (DIF) analyses, three of the 70 Genos EI items were found to be biased. However, the magnitude of the bias was considered negligible based on the DIF plots. Results are discussed in light of the small differences between Blacks and Whites on a measure of self-reported EI. It is suggested that some published criteria for evaluating practically significant DIF may be too conservative.