COGNITIVE ABILITY IN RELATION TO THE EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE OF HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS OF KASHMIR VALLEY

Abstract

This study investigated the cognitive ability and emotional competence of higher secondary school students in Srinagar and Budgam districts of Kashmir province. Utilizing a descriptive research design, the study encompassed a sample of 400 students selected through systematic random sampling, comprising equal proportions of rural (n=200) and urban (n=200) students, further stratified into science (n=100 per locality) and social science (n=100 per locality) streams. Cognitive ability was measured using the Cognitive Ability Test (CAT) by Gupta and Lakhani (2018), while emotional competence was assessed with the Emotional Competence Scale (ECS) by Dahiya and Gahlawat (2018). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics (Mean, Standard Deviation), independent samples t-tests for group comparisons, and Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation for examining relationships. The findings provide insights into the cognitive and emotional profiles of these students, highlight differences based on locality and academic stream, and explore the crucial relationship between these two psychological constructs, offering valuable implications for educational strategies and student development.