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How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain

Questions About How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain

by Lisa Feldman Barrett (Goodreads Author)

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Can anyone point me to a review that would indicate how well-received this research is received in the professional community? It sounds believable to me, but then when I listen to other scientists they're still talking about emotions in the same old way...
David Clarke As I understand it, her constructivist approach and research is highly respected in the literature (Although in the book she presents her constructivi…moreAs I understand it, her constructivist approach and research is highly respected in the literature (Although in the book she presents her constructivist approach as a novel discovery, there are a number of other researchers that have put forward similar arguments). The fact that she was the editor of the last edition of the "handbook of emotions", I find very encouraging and suggests that we're in the midst of a paradigm shift.

As a social psychologist, I am excited that we are finally starting to see the influence of social constructionism in psychology, and in some of its sub-fields - as it has already transformed many of the other social sciences, and is in my opinion a step in the right direction.

I think her work (her popular science book maybe less so) is seen as a promising start in our attempts to develop a more multi-disciplinary approach to emotions —and mental life in general— as it acknowledges the complex interplay between biology and culture. Psychology has always struggled with being both a natural and social science, which helps explain why a number of scientists may be hesitant to abandon what has been the status quo in the study of emotions, and why so many divisions still remain.

Modern biological theories, based on evolutionary theory, remain blinded by the search of universals. Modern anthropological theories, on the other hand, continue to emphasise cultural relativity. The emerging field of cultural neuroscience is promising; it can potentially help us transcend narrow disciplinary focus and the reductionisms that plague many fields, allowing us to develop a conceptual understanding of the mind that acknowledges both biology and culture as dynamic mutual influences.

The book is not without its flaws though; here is my review where I mention a few of these :)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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