Homer Simpson had it almost right when he said, "The answers to life's problems aren't at the bottom of a bottle, they're on TV!"

As usual, though, Homer was a little off. TV is actually a better place to turn for reminders of life's problems. Then, once life's problems are fresh in your mind, you can solve them by putting what you know about the human brain--and emotional intelligence--to work.

Gulp. Are you feeling worried because you don't know what emotional intelligence is? Relax. I'm going to tell you some basics about the brain and emotional intelligence, leaving you ready to solve all sorts of cartoon problems--and maybe even some of your own.

Intelligence matters--but maybe not the way you think
Have you ever wondered why some of the brainiest people you know don't make the most money and don't have the most friends? Shouldn't a high IQ be a guaranteed ticket to a wonderful and successful life? You'd think this was true, considering all the emphasis colleges put on test scores and grades.

In reality, though, there is a lot more to success and happiness than braininess. In 1995, a psychologist and journalist named Daniel Goleman wrote a book that shattered the idea that your IQ is your destiny.

Instead, Goleman asserts, something called "emotional intelligence"--defined by such things as self awareness, impulse control, persistence, zeal, self motivation, and empathy--matters at least as much as your IQ, if not more.

And here's the really mind-boggling part: Unlike with IQ, you can improve your emotional intelligence. But first, it helps to understand a little about why humans have emotions, and how our brains evolved to work the way they do.