Understanding the experience of Ph.D. students in psychology of the emotional competences in learning

Emotional competence is considered as one of the most important factors related to academic learning. Students' experiences of emotional competence are very important and should be considered. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and describe the experience of emotional learning competencies in PhD students in psychology.

The study was performed with a qualitative approach and phenomenological method. Twenty-five students were selected by purposeful sampling and interviewed at the university where they were studying during the academic year of 2017-2018. The data were written and analyzed using van Mann's combined phenomenology method.

The results of the analysis were about two hundred and fifty initial codes, which finally appeared in six themes: recognizing your emotions, managing and controlling your emotions, proper interpersonal relationships, paying attention to the emotions of others, and so on. Empathy, social status, and balance in cognition and excitement. A number of sub-themes also described these themes.

Recognizing self-emotions was one of the main components of this experience. With their emotional management, the students tried to learn better. The educational department of the university and the professors of psychology can use these findings to improve the students’ experience of emotional competences in learning.