Lessons in emotions should be introduced in all schools in England, says the government, in the latest twist on what's known as "emotional intelligence". But can children really be taught how to be happy?

There's a term for people like you - and it's one you can repeat in front of your mother. In fact, she might even be proud to know you're what psychologists call "emotionally intelligent".

Being aware of your emotions and managing them, along with those of other people, is nothing new - be it crying over the football, the birth of a child or a death. The importance of emotional expression was debated by the likes of Plato and entered the work of people like Charles Darwin.

WHAT IS EI? Knowing your emotions Managing your own emotions Motivating yourself Recognising and understanding other people's emotions Handling the emotions of others Source: Daniel Goleman Pupils to get respect lessons

But the term emotional intelligence (EI) is a relatively new one. Despite its recent arrival it has become embedded in our vernacular and linked to almost every area of life. From contentment in your home life to success in the workplace, it always seems irrevocably wrapped up in your ability to get in touch with your feeling - and others.

The government even wants EI taught in all classrooms. A pilot scheme in primary schools found it improved behaviour and academic performance. This week ministers announced they now wanted to extend such lessons to secondary schools.

So when did EI become so important and why? The term - and the theory behind it - was popularised by psychologist Daniel Goleman. His book of the same name became a bestseller in 1995 and sold millions of copies worldwide.

From there a whole industry rapidly grew. If you work you might have been on a training course to help you develop your EI, run by the one of a multitude of EI institutes, companies and organisations.

If you watch television, you'll be familiar with the confessional, soul searching programme format that seems to constantly be on our screens, of which Oprah Winfrey is the queen.

'Egalitarian'

Its rise has run parallel with the growth of the feelings culture in western society, say some psychologists. Which came first is a classic chicken-and-egg quandary, but what is clear is both have flourished with the help of each other.

"The primary reason emotional intelligence is so popular is that the concept is in tune with the spirit and popular culture of the times," says psychologist Gerry Matthews, co-author of Emotional Intelligence: Science and Myth.

"Western culture has a long history of equivocation about the value of emotions, and the extent to which the head should over-rule the heart. Recent years have seen increasing value placed on awareness and expression of emotions.

Just plain emotional?

The fact it's a "different way of being smart" is also key to its popularity, say others. The theory argues that IQ is not the only thing that dictates how successful we are.

"We live in a society where people don't like to think others are better than them, so we come up with these phrases to make everyone feel they are intelligent in their own special way," says philosopher Julian Baggini. "It feels egalitarian, no one can be written off by society."

It's a theory that has a lot of positives. Acknowledging all sorts of social and moral situations require emotional insight to come to the right decision is a "positive thing", says Mr Baggini.

But there's also been a lot of hype about EI and some doubt its scientific credentials.

'Cultural influences'

"It is a great commercial opportunity for some," says Professor Goleman. "Money can be made through marketing new tests and training courses for industry. Some of the marketing efforts have been pretty aggressive."

He argues there is a fundamental difficulty in testing EI and it's often impossible to specify objectively what is the most emotionally intelligent behaviour in a given situation.

"Tests for EI are of limited value in that the test score tends to reflect a subjective judgment as to what are the 'right' and 'wrong' answers - whether the judgement comes from the developer, outside experts or group consensus.

EI can be used in the wrong way

The current emergence of EI into education is a direct result of the introduction National Curriculum in 1988, says Professor Susan Hallam, author of the Institute of Education (IoE) study looking at the teaching of EI in primary schools.

"Prior to the National Curriculum schools had a duty to develop the whole child, that flew out of the window when it was introduced," she says.

The IoE's study showed positive results from the introduction of lessons in EI - from the classroom to the playground - but Professor Hallam says the term in general is "a bit of a red herring".

Label lovers

"Emotional intelligence and understanding your own emotions does not mean you use them in a positive way. It's the same in schools as it is in society.

"It's not only about being aware of the way you, and others, feel - there's a moral element. Bullies are often very emotionally intelligent, they just don't use it in a positive way."

Including a moral framework into EI lessons is a key part of their success, she says.

Ultimately, like any theory, EI will always be open to debate. But maybe its rapid rise in the public consciousness comes down to something rather simple - people like to put labels on things.

"We love doing it because it validates something and makes it seem more real," says Mr Baggini.