Abstract

This article summarizes Carroll Izard’s contributions to theory and research on emotion competence and an emotion-centered preventive intervention program. Cal’s contributions to emotion competence research began with some of the earliest studies of whether or not recognition and labeling of emotions relate to social and behavioral functioning. He also theorized about the adaptive use of discrete emotions, a construct Cal termed “emotion utilization.” He translated theory and research on emotions into seven principles for emotion-based prevention and intervention, and he applied these principles to a preventive intervention, the Emotions Course. The Emotions Course has been shown to promote emotion competence and reduce problem behaviors. The article concludes with recommendations to deepen the research base on emotion competence.