The Influence of Emotional Intelligence and Learning Motivation on Mathematical Critical Thinking Ability

Abstrak

This survey research with multiple regression analysis aims to: (1) determine the joint influence of emotional intelligence and learning motivation on mathematical critical thinking ability; (2) determine the influence of emotional intelligence on mathematical critical thinking ability; and (3) determine the influence of learning motivation on mathematical critical thinking ability. The research was conducted at SMA Negeri 1 Sinunukan, Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra, Indonesia, in the odd semester of the 2025/2026 academic year. The sampling technique was simple random sampling, with 180 respondents drawn from an accessible population of 380 students. Instruments included questionnaires for emotional intelligence and learning motivation, and essay tests for mathematical critical thinking ability. All items were empirically validated. Hypothesis testing was conducted after fulfilling classical assumption tests (normality, linearity, multicollinearity). Multiple regression with F-test and partial hypothesis testing with t-test were used. Results show: (1) significant joint influence of emotional intelligence and learning motivation on mathematical critical thinking ability (R² = 0.699); (2) significant influence of emotional intelligence (contribution 15.6%); (3) significant influence of learning motivation (contribution 54.3%).