This study investigates historical and cultural effects on one component of emotional intelligence,the ability to recognize and report on one’s emotions.This study suggests a novel influence on emotional intelligence,an individual’s historical context.Samples of young adults,from Kyrgyzstan,former Soviet Republic in Central Asia,and the USA were assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)(Bagby,Parker,& Taylor,1994) in 2002 and again in 2012,and in 2018.Significant historical cohort effect,significant interaction effect,and gender effects were found.