Myths
‘Emotions go off on their own, always the same way’
In shortResearch has not found one fixed body pattern for each emotion: the same feeling looks different in different people and moments.
The idea
A large review of studies looked for a body pattern specific to each emotion (heart, sweat, breathing) and found no consistent fingerprints: the same emotion appears with very different patterns depending on the person and the situation. This supports the idea that emotions are constructed in each moment rather than being fixed reflexes.
What to try
- Instead of waiting for it to ‘pass’, ask what was happening and what the child expected.
- Help the child see that the same tight tummy can mean different things.
The common mistake
Thinking there is nothing to do but wait.
Want to know more?
Start here
Short, plain pieces by the researchers and good writers.
Books
The core book on the theory of constructed emotion: why emotions are constructed rather than set off.
See on Amazon ›Amazon links are affiliate links: if you buy, Bounded Uncertainty receives a small commission at no cost to you.
The science behind itHow strong the evidence is, the model, videos and references.
How strong the evidence is
Well established Many studies, with results that repeat.
References
- Siegel, E. H., et al. (2018). Emotion fingerprints or emotion populations? A meta-analytic investigation of autonomic features of emotion categories. Psychological Bulletin, 144(4), 343–393.
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