Social construction of emotion

Abstract

While recognizing the evolutionary predispositions for the triggers, expression and behavioural responses of emotions, the Emotional Schema model also emphasizes the social construction of emotion. Much of contemporary psychology often appears to focus on the western European or North American college student as the subject in studies. Psychology is often separated from cultural and historical changes in how people view important functions in everyday life. In this chapter the historical changes in (largely) Western culture are described, indicating that the evaluations of certain emotions (e.g., jealousy) have dramatically changed over the last several hundred years. In addition, the field of emotionology or the history of emotions sheds light on the increasing emphasis on internalization and self-control of emotions. Anthropological evidence indicates that emotion regulation strategies, language for emotions and acceptance of emotions differs across cultures. Thus, emotional processing and evaluations are rooted in both evolutionary relevant processes and social construction. The Emotional Schema model will assist in understanding the client’s “construction” of emotion.

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