This exchange provides an array of perspectives on the questions of what emotions are, how they function, and how they should be studied. While my approach is evolutionary and functionalist—viewing each distinct emotion as having evolved to serve a particular function (though not necessarily one entirely unique to that emotion)—this approach is not the only one needed to fully understand emotions. Furthermore, several of the accounts offered here might be effectively synthesized by accepting the importance of both universal evolutionary factors and sociocultural particulars in shaping emotion experiences.
EkmanP. (1971). Universals and cultural differences in facial expressions of emotion. In ColeJ. (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation (Vol. 19, pp. 207–283). Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
5.
GottmanJ. M.LevensonR. W. (2002). A two-factor model for predicting when a couple will divorce: Exploratory analyses using 14-year longitudinal data. Family Process, 41, 83–96.
6.
MesquitaB.BoigerM. (2014). Emotions in context: A sociodynamic model of emotions. Emotion Review, 6, 298–302.
7.
MillerG. A.KellerJ. (2000). Psychology and neuroscience: Making peace. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9, 212–215.
8.
MoorsA. (2014). Flavors of appraisal theories of emotion. Emotion Review, 6, 303–307.
9.
NesseR. (2014). Comment: A general “theory of emotion” is neither necessary nor possible.Emotion Review, 6, 320–322.
10.
PinkerS. (2002). The blank slate: The modern denial of human nature. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
11.
RandlesD.TracyJ. L. (2013). Shamed into taking a drink? Nonverbal displays of shame predict relapse and worsening health among recovering alcoholics. Clinical Psychological Science, 1, 149–155.
12.
ShwederR. A. (2014). Comment: The tower of appraisals: Trying to make sense of the one big thing. Emotion Review, 6, 322–324.
13.
TracyJ. L. (2014). An evolutionary approach to understanding distinct emotions. Emotion Review, 6, 308–312.
14.
TracyJ. L.MatsumotoD. (2008). The spontaneous expression of pride and shame: Evidence for biologically innate nonverbal displays. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105, 11655–11660.
