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How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain
by
A new theory of how the brain constructs emotions that could revolutionize psychology, health care, law enforcement, and our understanding of the human mind.
Emotions feel automatic, like uncontrollable reactions to things we think and experience. Scientists have long supported this assumption by claiming that emotions are hardwired in the body or the brain. Today, however, ...more
Emotions feel automatic, like uncontrollable reactions to things we think and experience. Scientists have long supported this assumption by claiming that emotions are hardwired in the body or the brain. Today, however, ...more
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Hardcover, 448 pages
Published
March 7th 2017
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
(first published January 5th 2016)
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Start your review of How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain
The basic message of this book is that emotions are subjective and constructed, and that neuro science proves it so. This message is in line with the frequently quoted Shakespeares' (Hamlet) "...there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so".
(Barrett do not make use of this quote).
I will suggest instead reading the article "The theory of constructed emotion: an active inference account of interoception and categorization" by the author; http://www.affective-science.org/pubs... ...more
(Barrett do not make use of this quote).
I will suggest instead reading the article "The theory of constructed emotion: an active inference account of interoception and categorization" by the author; http://www.affective-science.org/pubs... ...more
Most new pop science books irritate me since they give me nothing I didn't already know. This book is definitely an exception to that rule. I started liking this book from the very beginning, because I have previously read in over 20 books the experiment where they show photos of actors posed with an emotional expression of some kind and showed it to various people from different cultures and then claiming that each group shown the pictures knew what emotion was being invoked by the actor posing
...more
I have to give this book 5 stars based on its audacity and ambition alone.
The author fearlessly challenges some of the fields (affective psychology/neuroscience) most revered and respected theorists and researchers, including Jack Panksap, Antonio Damassio, Joseph LeDoux, Paul Ekman and even Charles Darwin.
That's mad ballsy.
The book is a virtual slaughterhouse of sacred cows.
I have reservations about much of the authors assertions. It's hard not to, because she challenges so much of the curre ...more
The author fearlessly challenges some of the fields (affective psychology/neuroscience) most revered and respected theorists and researchers, including Jack Panksap, Antonio Damassio, Joseph LeDoux, Paul Ekman and even Charles Darwin.
That's mad ballsy.
The book is a virtual slaughterhouse of sacred cows.
I have reservations about much of the authors assertions. It's hard not to, because she challenges so much of the curre ...more
I am fascinated by the advances in neuroscience and what it tells us about our brains, behaviours and who we are. It is even more interesting to combine that with the wisdom of mindfulness theory & practice. This is a book with a lot of very interesting material which we do not often come across, and is intellectually very stimulating.
In what Lisa describes as the most prevalent classical view, we think we are all very similar in how we display our emotions. If shown a picture, based on the pers ...more
In what Lisa describes as the most prevalent classical view, we think we are all very similar in how we display our emotions. If shown a picture, based on the pers ...more
This book kind of blew my mind. Barrett is pushing a pretty revolutionary theory of emotion--that it is context-driven and culturally bound. She rejects the idea that all humans share emotions. Rather, she says emotions are learned through our culture and our language. I imagine that other academics in this area will push back on her bold theories, but it was fascinating to read this.
Quite irritating...primarily because it purports to be a book about how the brain creates emotions, but it contains remarkably little neuroscience or detail about the brain. She makes lots of sweeping statements without showing sufficient evidence for them. It's not even really a book about emotions, but about categorization and prediction. So this book annoyed me a fair bit and I don't recommend it.
Finally...I'm sorry, but there IS a difference between a muffin and a cupcake beyond the time of ...more
Finally...I'm sorry, but there IS a difference between a muffin and a cupcake beyond the time of ...more
Barrett believes that past theories of emotions are wrong. In that classical view, emotions are “essences,” with mental circuity in place, waiting to be triggered. Based on brain science, this view is no longer tenable, she says. Rather, we construct emotions. From culture, we form a concept of emotion; without a concept, we have no emotion. Culture lays down new wiring to reflect “social realities,” including how each culture defines what it means to be happy, sad, angry, etc. This explains the
...more
Such a delicate and painful book!
It was a weird book. I honestly don't know how to feel about this book. On one side it has a good theory on the architecture of emotion. A very interesting and a radical one of them. However, other contents of the book, contained horrible arguements in order to apply the theory to the everyday life.
For example the chapter on law and criminal justice system was simply horrible. Applying "affective realism" to everything, starting from racial bias to will depletion.
Also there were alternative in ...more
For example the chapter on law and criminal justice system was simply horrible. Applying "affective realism" to everything, starting from racial bias to will depletion.
Also there were alternative in ...more
There is so much to like in this book but even more to dislike.
- Universal emotions - Barrett carried out a savage and satisfying attack on the assumption that emotions are universal. When trying to replicate findings from Ekman and other universal emotion researchers, Barrett uncovered severe flaws in the studies. When it comes to ripping apart the work of other scientists, Barrett's critical thinking skills are sharp and useful. This is not necessarily the case when understanding findings from ...more
- Universal emotions - Barrett carried out a savage and satisfying attack on the assumption that emotions are universal. When trying to replicate findings from Ekman and other universal emotion researchers, Barrett uncovered severe flaws in the studies. When it comes to ripping apart the work of other scientists, Barrett's critical thinking skills are sharp and useful. This is not necessarily the case when understanding findings from ...more
''A new theory of how the brain constructs emotions...'' Wait, new?
The writer is amazing (and very persuasive), she carries her theory all the way until the end, in an engaging and amusing way. The idea is that emotions don't have biological fingerprints, they are socially constructed. Therefore, people all over the world, experience different type of emotions (some of them unknown for others). She calls this ''the theory of constructed emotion.'' Though she doesn't talk much about the neuroscie ...more
The writer is amazing (and very persuasive), she carries her theory all the way until the end, in an engaging and amusing way. The idea is that emotions don't have biological fingerprints, they are socially constructed. Therefore, people all over the world, experience different type of emotions (some of them unknown for others). She calls this ''the theory of constructed emotion.'' Though she doesn't talk much about the neuroscie ...more
Disclaimer: As of yet, I have not entirely finished the book. In principle, if I do decide to write a review, it is after I finished the entire book. However, Dr. Barrett's way of arguing for the theory of constructed emotions feels more promotional and she does not quite prove her theory as the only valid option, and as such I am not as inclined to finish the book to the end, though I will try.
In summary, the book argues against the idea that there is an innate sense of emotion; all our concept ...more
In summary, the book argues against the idea that there is an innate sense of emotion; all our concept ...more
This has been a great year for books on the workings of the brain with the release of Robert Sapolsky's latest work and now this groundbreaking contribution from Lisa Feldman Barrett. What Barrett has achieved here is a wonderful introduction, thorough description, and cogent examination of an alternative theory to the classical theory of emotion: "The Theory of Constructed Emotion." While some may already be familiar with the concept, this is the finest it has ever been posited. She deftly sums
...more
This book starts out really strong. The core thesis put forward by the author about the constructed nature of emotions is fascinating and thought provoking. It challenges some of our deepest held assumptions and intuitions about emotions.
However, she then goes on to repeat her central ideas 900 times throughout the book. I’d be a rich man if I got a penny for every time she mentions “interoceptive network”, “body budget”, “emotional granularity”, and “affective niche.” It’s truly tiring. She spe ...more
However, she then goes on to repeat her central ideas 900 times throughout the book. I’d be a rich man if I got a penny for every time she mentions “interoceptive network”, “body budget”, “emotional granularity”, and “affective niche.” It’s truly tiring. She spe ...more
Actual rating is 3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars
This book present a new way of thinking about emotions "this was totally new for me " , Barrett criticized the "classical view" of brain and emotions , pointing that our common conception of emotions are not represented by specific circuit in the brain but are constructed in each particular instance depending on our concepts , perceptions, goals and words...therefore emotions are not universal, emotions are flexible and vary from culture to culture.
" ...more
This book present a new way of thinking about emotions "this was totally new for me " , Barrett criticized the "classical view" of brain and emotions , pointing that our common conception of emotions are not represented by specific circuit in the brain but are constructed in each particular instance depending on our concepts , perceptions, goals and words...therefore emotions are not universal, emotions are flexible and vary from culture to culture.
" ...more
This review also appears on Amazon.com A few caveats before I begin the review proper - I take writing a negative review very seriously and understand full well that online actions have consequences. I also understand that the author is a far more accomplished, successful, intelligent, well-read and many other positive things, person that I will ever be. However, even brilliant people can be misguided. I know personally people have PhDs in the most rigorous scientific fields from the world's bes
...more
Felt sad reading this. So many holes in one theory. Of course we must always be open minded, and be prepared to accept other views of the world, however in this case I can't really see any novelty, any argument never heard before.
I must say Barrett is able to tell some stories, and mostly to promote herself and her work, but it takes a bit more to convince us.
Para a análise extensa em português, e os argumentos do meu ceticismo para com a obra, ver no blog: https://virtual-illusion.blogspot.com. ...more
I must say Barrett is able to tell some stories, and mostly to promote herself and her work, but it takes a bit more to convince us.
Para a análise extensa em português, e os argumentos do meu ceticismo para com a obra, ver no blog: https://virtual-illusion.blogspot.com. ...more
Fascinating topic but felt too repetitive and over-simplistic in its explanations. Specifically the way Barett seemed to hover above the surface in her descriptions and deconstructions the mind. She offered useful metaphors to illustrate her arguments, but never really delved into the deeper neuroscience of how our brains actually craft emotions. I get that you never want to assume your readers will always know fundamental principles, but Barrett swung too much the other way for me; at times I f
...more
Mar 04, 2020
Madison Mary
added it
Read this book for a neuroscience literacy class.
It was amazing and I feel like I gained a lot of new insights. We are taught so many “classical views” in the classroom, but when you get down the the base facts, they don’t have much support. I never knew the background of Broca’s Area and how the amygdala isn’t really the fear centre. Furthermore, “fear conditioning” in rats is actually nothing more than just using Pavlovian techniques.
I love that there was a chapter spent on how neuroscience ...more
It was amazing and I feel like I gained a lot of new insights. We are taught so many “classical views” in the classroom, but when you get down the the base facts, they don’t have much support. I never knew the background of Broca’s Area and how the amygdala isn’t really the fear centre. Furthermore, “fear conditioning” in rats is actually nothing more than just using Pavlovian techniques.
I love that there was a chapter spent on how neuroscience ...more
"Variation is the norm"
We categorize things to communicate with our physical body and the outside environment. Language is a medium. It's more diverse in categories/samples than so-called "emotions". In fact, sometimes we use the single word "happy", 'sad", "angry" to maintain our body budget economically. (Of course, the brain will take the shortest route for prediction thanks to the second law of thermodynamics. )
Now, think of poets, writers, novelists of ages... the puppet masters and magici ...more
We categorize things to communicate with our physical body and the outside environment. Language is a medium. It's more diverse in categories/samples than so-called "emotions". In fact, sometimes we use the single word "happy", 'sad", "angry" to maintain our body budget economically. (Of course, the brain will take the shortest route for prediction thanks to the second law of thermodynamics. )
Now, think of poets, writers, novelists of ages... the puppet masters and magici ...more
Lisa Feldman Barrett has written an ambitious book on the construction of emotions by presenting an old theory that she claims is new. She postulates in her theory that emotions are not a simple reaction to external stimulation that provokes a response from modules in the brain that are dedicated to mediating an appropriate emotive behavior. She calls this the classical theory that has been the standard for our understanding brain function for numerous years. She points out that her research an
...more
In this book Dr. Barrett gave as new theory of constructed emotion in a brave way to eradicate the classical view of emotions it argues that :
Emotions are not hardwired in our brains but are a reflection of our cultural environment,
Emotions are concepts made by our brain and it rely on past memories to make those concepts, the brain analyses the data from the eye, ear... and tries to do an interpretation and compares it to past memories to save time and energy (so according to Lisa fear, happine ...more
Emotions are not hardwired in our brains but are a reflection of our cultural environment,
Emotions are concepts made by our brain and it rely on past memories to make those concepts, the brain analyses the data from the eye, ear... and tries to do an interpretation and compares it to past memories to save time and energy (so according to Lisa fear, happine ...more
I made more extensive notes for this book than any since my university days. So often did i need to get something straight in my mind, so often was i blown away, so often was i dazzled on topics far outside the scientific understanding of emotion.
This is a book that sets itself a big target - to revolutionise the understanding of emotion. I feel it hits the bulls-eye. Not only that, we also have an illuminating view of how science, history, politics, and society work in real life.
We are presen ...more
This is a book that sets itself a big target - to revolutionise the understanding of emotion. I feel it hits the bulls-eye. Not only that, we also have an illuminating view of how science, history, politics, and society work in real life.
We are presen ...more
How Emotions Are Made was a breakthrough book for me. I have not read neuroscience and so her ideas were all new to my naïve self. In High School, I was strongly interested in Taoism. And one of the concepts that had the most impact upon me was the idea of the integrated life, the idea that one should not cut one’s life into pieces but instead should strive for a single authentic identity. Perhaps the strangest example of the inauthentic life was Freudian theory with its emphasis on the conflict
...more
How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett is a book that explores recent advances in neuroscience as they relate to the formation, experience and reaction to emotions. Barrett’s primary thesis is that emotions are not rigid constructs emitted by dedicated circuits within the brain, but rather emergent entities formed by three separate elements: affective realism, concepts, and social reality. This is a powerful concept; the idea that emotions are malleable and c
...more
What can I say! I wouldn’t think of a better book to start the year with!
This book can help you understand how we creat our own realities and our own emotions and master them
If science is telling you that you can be the architect of your own experience then you need not to listen to anything else
This book is highly recommended it’s so very interesting even though it’s all science:p
This book can help you understand how we creat our own realities and our own emotions and master them
If science is telling you that you can be the architect of your own experience then you need not to listen to anything else
This book is highly recommended it’s so very interesting even though it’s all science:p
Five stars are not enough to describe how excellent this book is and how appreciated I am to have the chance to read this book. I believe this book should be on every modern reader's bookshelf or essential reading list.
When I picked up this book one month ago, I saw Daniel Gilbert the author of "Stumbling on Happiness" wrote the punch line introduction on the book cover that said, "A brilliant and original book by the deepest thinking about this topic since Darwin". I have to admit there was a s ...more
When I picked up this book one month ago, I saw Daniel Gilbert the author of "Stumbling on Happiness" wrote the punch line introduction on the book cover that said, "A brilliant and original book by the deepest thinking about this topic since Darwin". I have to admit there was a s ...more
An interesting theory of constructed emotion. Dr. Barrett's comment on "finding comfort in some uncertainty" resonated with me.
...more
This book challenges the 'established' views on emotions. Certainly well worth reading.
...more
Some interesting points of view.rest of the book challenges eckman and other researchers about the universality of emotions, stating that emotions are rather learned than inborn .
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrong Page Count | 1 | 3 | Sep 22, 2020 06:10AM | |
| Brain Science Pod...: * BS 135 Lisa Feldman Barrett | 1 | 22 | Jul 31, 2017 06:32AM |
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“Numerous experiments showed that people feel depressed when they fail to live up to their own ideals, but when they fall short of a standard set by others, they feel anxious.”
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“The word “smile” doesn’t even exist in Latin or Ancient Greek. Smiling was an invention of the Middle Ages, and broad, toothy-mouthed smiles (with crinkling at the eyes, named the Duchenne smile by Ekman) became popular only in the eighteenth century as dentistry became more accessible and affordable.”
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