What is the process of learning to understand and control one's emotions while interacting with others?

The process of learning to understand and control one's emotions while interacting with others is best described by the concept of social-emotional development. This encompasses the ability to recognize one’s own emotions, understand the emotions of others, and manage these emotions in social contexts.

Social-emotional development involves skills such as empathy, emotional awareness, and relationship management, which are crucial for effective interpersonal communication and building healthy relationships. This development is a foundational aspect of effective social functioning and emotional well-being throughout life.

While emotional intelligence refers specifically to the capacity to understand and manage emotions, it is a component of social-emotional development. Cognitive development pertains to the intellectual abilities and processing information, which, while important, does not directly address the emotional regulation aspect of interactions. Emotional regulation, while relevant, is a narrower concept focused specifically on instances of managing one’s own emotions rather than the broader social interactions and understanding involved in social-emotional development.