The authors analyze the problem of emotional intelligence in the works of domestic and foreign researchers. The article discusses the concept of emotional intelligence with the focus on identifying the affective and cognitive components in the structure of emotional intelligence. The authors state the problem of emotional evaluation of new creative ideas, for example, various forecasts of the development of certain inventions in the history of science. In the process of solving a humorous task is the development of emotional intelligence through the generation in the process of perception of the humorous text of the new, implicit meaning based on the layout of the text with a high degree of contrast (ambivalence and/or ambiguity). It can be argued on the basis of a number of provisions: the product of the new sense is mediated by a change in stable semantic relations (destruction of semantic stereotypes and different levels of generalization (thinking) situations, with the aim of identifying the essential characteristics, in the appropriate context; humorous form, as the basis of semantic perception, generates the transformation of content through understanding of the values, expressing implicit meaning; the creation of alternative values available through the occurrence of a new meaning, posed significant structural deviations from normative expectations; anticipating the consequences, by playing on linguistic and humorous models, the adoption of certain decisions and select the optimal solution according to specified criteria for the control. The authors analyze the implementation of experience of humorous task in the learning process. The authors provide a conclusion about the appropriateness of a humorous task as a vehicle for the development of emotional intelligence.