The uncertainty of the concept of emotional intelligence creates a difficult dilemma for researchers to choose model options and diagnostic tools. For this reason, there is a significant increase in interest in classical models of emotional intelligence. It should be clarified that a significant part of the components available in them are repeated in researchers. The variety of created models of emotional intelligence inspires the need for their systematization. Ability models and mixed models are most worthy of consideration. The analysis of psychological and pedagogical literature on this problem is carried out, approaches to explaining the nature of emotional intelligence are described.

The novelty of the research is that scientific ideas about the variety of models of emotional intelligence, about the regulation of emotions and their management are expanding.

Practical significance: this study complements the existing literature, demonstrating the role of classical models of emotional intelligence in terms of their potential significance for theory and practice, as well as the integration of research on emotional intelligence with well-known models of cognitive abilities.