REFLECTION QUESTIONS CH. 2
On p. 35, Barrett states that “an emotion word such as ‘anger’ names a population of diverse instances, each one constructed to best guide action in the immediate circumstance.” Given that, according to Barrett, our emotions are constructed based on immediate sensory input in conjunction with our past experiences, yet no past experience is guaranteed to resemble any future experience, is it ever possible to construct the ‘best’ or the ‘correct’ emotional response in any given instant?
Social construction theory (the idea that the role of social values and interests plays a part in determining how we perceive and act in the world) suggests that emotions are triggered differently depending on your social role. Do you agree with this? What about in the case of someone with a mental illness, e.g. depression? (see p. 33)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS CH. 3
Do you believe emotions are constructed or that human emotion is generally universal?
On p. 51, Barrett states that there seems to be one emotion category that people are able to perceive without the influence of emotion concepts: happiness. Why do you think that is?
REFLECTION QUESTIONS CH. 5
Barrett argues that when our brains categorize, it is not finding similarities in the world, but creating them. When your brain needs a concept, it constructs one on the fly, using your past experiences to best fit your goals in a situation.
Does this pose an issue with your own experiences? Have you ever found yourself categorizing in a way that you feel you have taken from the world around you? If so, is this compatible with Barrett’s view. (Pg. 92)
On page 104, Barrett concludes, “Emotions are not reactions to the world; they are your constructions of the world.” This contradicts Solomon’s view that emotions are interactions with the world. What do you think? Has Barrett provided enough evidence to change your own view?
Shared by: LH and JM