Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question requires identification of the original proponents of the term "emotional intelligence" (EI) and the developers of its initial formal model.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
(A) Goleman (Daniel Goleman): Authored the 1995 best-selling book "Emotional Intelligence," which greatly popularized the concept. However, he did not originate the term.
(B) Salovey and Mayer (Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer): Formally defined and introduced emotional intelligence in a 1990 academic article. They described it as "the subset of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them and to use this information to guide one's thinking and actions."
(C) Sternberg (Robert Sternberg): Known for the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence (analytical, creative, practical).
(D) Spearman (Charles Spearman): Known for his theory of a general intelligence factor, or "g".
Step 3: Final Answer:
Salovey and Mayer were the first to introduce the concept of emotional intelligence.