What is AQ? How to distinguish AQ, IQ, and EQ?

11/10/2023 11:15 AM

We often hear about IQ as a measure of a person's intelligence and EQ to evaluate emotions. However, in addition to IQ and EQ, many people are currently interested in AQ.

So, what is AQ, and how does it affect human thinking and personality? Let's find out with Aniday through this article.

The definition of AQ

To answer the definition of AQ, according to Paul G. Stoltz, a psychologist and researcher on human ability to overcome difficulties, AQ is an index that shows a person's resilience, persistence, and flexibility when facing challenging circumstances.

AQ is determined by four main factors:

Control
Challenge
Commitment
Confidence

Each of these factors has a high or low level, contributing to an individual's total AQ.

Scientifically speaking, children with higher AQ tend to be more successful. By focusing on developing this index from an early age, parents can make it easier for their children to improve. Consequently, many Western families emphasize nurturing the ability to rise above difficulties and adversity in children, especially after six months of age.

What is the meaning of AQ? How to Measure AQ, IQ, and EQ

AQ is not just an intellectual or emotional index; it's also an action index. It shows what a person can do, how much they can endure, and how quickly they recover after encountering difficulties or failures.

Moreover, AQ affects a person's satisfaction, success, and happiness in life. Currently, AQ is considered an essential factor in evaluating human success.

In psychology, AQ is classified into three specific types:

Quitter - People who easily give up when faced with difficulties and are easily discouraged when encountering obstacles in work and life.
Camper - These individuals possess a stable state and can find solutions to overcome difficulties. They tend to be satisfied with what they have and do not wish to go further in life.
Climber - These individuals have the highest AQ and always strive for excellence. Climbers account for only 5% of the world's population.

How to Measure the AQ Index

The AQ index measures your level of flexibility, creativity, and tolerance when encountering new difficulties, challenges, and opportunities. To calculate AQ, answer a set of questions about real or hypothetical situations and assess your reactions to those situations.

How to Measure IQ

IQ (Intelligence Quotient) measures your level of intelligence, learning, and understanding across various fields. IQ can be calculated by answering a set of intelligence test questions, including linguistic, mathematical, logical, spatial, and cognitive questions.

How to Measure EQ

EQ (Emotional Quotient) indicates your level of empathy, communication, and cooperation in social and professional relationships. To measure EQ, answer a set of questions about your and others' emotions, psychology, and behavior in different situations.

Distinguishing AQ from IQ and EQ

In addition to understanding the concept of AQ, many people still confuse the three concepts of IQ, EQ, and AQ. Here are the differences between these three indicators:

IQ (Intelligence Quotient)

Measuring a person's ability to reason, learn, solve problems, and process information. It can fluctuate with age and environment.

EQ (Emotional Quotient)

Measuring the ability to perceive, manage, express, and deal with emotions in oneself and others. It can be developed through experience and practice.

AQ (Adversity Quotient)

Measuring a person's response to challenges, failures, pressures, or risks in life. AQ is determined by factors like control, challenge, commitment, and confidence. It can be improved through training and positive thinking.

How to Improve AQ Index

Aside from understanding AQ and distinguishing it from IQ and EQ, many people are interested in improving their AQ. To enhance your AQ, focus on developing the four basic elements: gross motor skills, fine motor skills, mental skills, and emotional skills.

Gross motor skills: yoga, dancing, martial arts,...
Fine motor skills: cooking, calligraphy, meditation,...

In summary, AQ is an important index for evaluating and improving one's ability to cope with life's difficulties. It's not an innate attribute but can be learned and practiced over time. Through this article, Aniday aims to provide an answer for: what is AQ and how to enhance it.

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