Implicit Theory of Emotion refers to the extent at which an individual believes that their emotions are fixed (entity) or malleable (incremental). This idea can also be extended to the idea of emotional intelligence.

A study provided evidence that implicit theories of emotion can influence a person's performance on the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Adults with incremental theories of emotion scored higher on the MSCEIT when compared to entity theorists. Participants perceived both emotions and emotional intelligence as malleable, but emotions were seen as more malleable than EI.

Findings also suggested that women and young adults were more likely to be incremental theorists toward emotion and EI, than men and older adults.