Culture and the Categorization of Emotions by Russell - Essay Example

Culture-specific emotion words can be traced by using general words, phrases, or metaphors. Mimics and gestures are also predetermined by culture. At the same time, some facial expressions are universal.

Russell (1991) considers different points of view and recognizes the limitations of his study. Provided literature review clearly explains different approaches to emotion categorization. The significance of culture and language in emotion cognition becomes clear when Russell (1991) supports them with examples and observations. This article becomes the point of departure for further research into the sociocultural aspect of emotions.

The Construction of Emotion in Interactions, Relationships, and Cultures by Boiger and Mesquita
The article The Construction of Emotion in Interactions, Relationships, and Cultures by Boiger and Mesquita (2012) presents the main argument that emotions are constructed in the process of social interactions. The authors list three main contexts of interactions which can be moment-to-moment, ongoing relationships, and socio-cultural. Moment-to-moment interactions motivate emotional responses in people which become parts of ongoing relationships that exist in bigger sociocultural contexts. All these contexts define the uniqueness and character of the emotional response people express in the process of communication.

Boiger and Mesquita (2012) oppose naturalist models which define emotions as universal, invariant, and innate programs. Their line of reasoning relies on developmental psychology which studies emotion formation in infants and adults. For instance, infants develop there in the process of interaction with their caregivers. Being in relationships, people do not only express their emotions but share them. As a result, their emotions adapt to the kind of relationships they have. Finally, sociocultural context often defines expected emotional responses in particular situations. Overall, Boiger and Mesquita (2012) back their argument by referring to other relevant research with makes their article persuasive. They present enough facts and examples to apply their theory practically and show how it works. Suggested further research shows the significance of the ‘emotions as constructs’ approach in the long run.

Balancing Emotions between Constraints and Construction: Comment on Boiger and Mesquita by Semin
In the article Balancing Emotions between Constraints and Construction: Comment on Boiger and Mesquita, Semin (2012) does not object to the fact that emotions develop in the process of social interactions. However, he adds necessary limiting conditions to show how human functioning establishes borders in the process of emotion construction. Despite the offered approach, human emotions depend on the human brain and body functions which are shared by all people regardless of the context of their interactions. Semin (2012) argues that it is important to consider this biological basis of emotions alongside with sociocultural context where emotions are expressed.

Semin (2012) adds complexity to the initial argument of Boiger and Mesquita who ignored the biological nature of emotions. Semin (2012) offers a sort of compromise between constructivists and naturalists taking essential features of both theories and combining them. As a result, a complex approach to emotion construction embraces opposite points of view and makes sense. Read More