Promotion of emotional competence in biology lessons

BackgroundAlack of emotional competence is apredictor of serious consequences in the development process of any individual. This research project examines how biology lessons in grade levels5/6 can promote emotional competences.MethodsThe study is based on aquasi-experimental pre-, post-, and follow-up design. In all, 548 pupils participated in the study. Emotional competences were assessed by students' self-report. Treatment differences between the intervention and control group were examined using latent mean differences.ResultsIn contrast to the control group there was no decrease in the intervention group regarding emotional competencies in recognition and understanding one's own emotions, recognition of emotions of others, assist others to regulate their emotions and general attitudes towards emotions. The findings suggest that biology lessons could stabilize learners' emotional competences.