| The purpose of this dissertation was to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool of emotional intelligence, specifically for African-American adolescents. The problem investigated was that of no existing valid and reliable youth version measurement tool of emotional intelligence that used a sample of African-American adolescents large enough to effect the development of the tool. The investigation also noted the effects of such studies on African-American adolescents in general, such as low performance when compared to other populations and stereotype threat. From these findings the African-American Emotional Intelligence Survey was created and administered. In the study, there were a total of 108 male and female, adolescent and adult participants. The adolescents' ages were between 13-19 years old. All adolescents self-identified as African-American. The adults, who all self-identified as African-American, were between the ages of 20-25 and had work experience with African-American adolescents. Qualitative data were gathered through focus groups and quantitative data were gathered through 2 large group administrations of the survey. The focus groups were held in 3 groups of 6 and the large group administrations held in 3 groups of 30. The results concluded that the survey was valid but unreliable due only to outlier data. Future iterations of the survey will include additional instructions and visual cues to aid in participant ease of use and decrease the chance of outlier data. |
