The Jury is In: Emotions Are Social
May 7, 2012 § 6 Comments
Rather than being limited to an internal, individualized physiological experience, it turns out that emotions are chiefly
Social Ignition
generated through social interaction which makes so much sense, doesn’t it? Putting it simply, the most common cause for emotion is another person. Emotion usually ignites and unfolds in response to something someone said or did or failed to do. Brian Parkinson, who has studied emotion explained it this way, “The things people do and say are typically the things that affect us most, especially if we are in some kind of established relationship with them.” In his published paper, Emotions Are Social, Parkinson explored the interpersonal, institutional, and cultural value of emotions. He also underscored the communicative value of emotions. Since the advent of the internet, emotional content is readily available today on a global scale. Reported events of all kinds spur conversations rich with self-disclosure and supportive responses among friends and strangers alike. It’s what makes us uniquely human.
What have you noticed about the role of emotions in online social interaction and what sparks you?
Sticks & stones. This makes a lot of sense maureena.
Sue Bock
http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com
I know, we don’t really need years of research to lead us to that conclusion do we!
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