al-Afkar, Journal For Islamic Studies
Vol. 9 No. 3 (2026)

Correlation Between Emotional Intelligence and Critical Thinking Skills of Elementary School Students

Anggun Safitri (Program Studi Pendidikan Guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi)
Gupo Matvayodha (Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi)
Muhaiminah Jalal (Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Aug 2026

Abstract

Critical thinking skills are essential competencies that elementary school students need to possess in order to face the challenges of the 21st century. One factor that is presumed to be related to these skills is emotional intelligence. This study aimed to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and the critical thinking skills of fifth-grade students at SDN 131/IV Jambi City. The research employed a quantitative approach with a correlational design. The study involved 35 fifth-grade students from class V-B selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills questionnaires that had met validity and reliability requirements. Data were analyzed using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation test with the assistance of SPSS software. The results revealed a positive and significant relationship between emotional intelligence and students’ critical thinking skills, with a correlation coefficient of 0.831 and a significance value of 0.000 (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that higher emotional intelligence is associated with better critical thinking skills. Therefore, the development of emotional intelligence should receive greater attention in elementary school learning processes.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

Afkar_Journal

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

al-Afkar, Journal for Islamic Studies is published by Association of Secondment Lecturers (Asosiasi Dosen DPK) UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung Indonesia. Focus of al-Afkar, Journal for Islamic Studies is on publishing original empirical research articles and theoretical reviews of Islamic Studies, ...