Making Sense of Emotion

Emotions are complex states that involve consciousness, our bodies, our brains, our social and physical surroundings, our cultures, and much more. The complexity of emotions, and the abundance of approaches and theories regarding them, has led several brain scientists and other experts in emotions research to propose comprehensive and universal frameworks to explain them. Consider, for example, Jaak Panksepp’s Affective Neuroscience (2004) and, more recently, Elizabeth Johnson and Leah Olson’s The Feeling Brain (CH, Dec'15, 53-1773). Ninivaggi, who also wrote Envy Theory (CH, May'11, 48-5388) and Biomental Child Development (2013), has a clinical background and takes a wide-ranging approach. Specifically, he integrates definitions of emotion as particular brain states and feeling states with concepts derived from emotional intelligence and emotional literacy—translating emotions into insights on solvable life problems and skills that can be mastered. He thus promotes emotional well-being under the old rubric of “emotional hygiene.” His focus is developmental, with an emphasis on “innovating” emotions in children and adults through “emotion performance utilization.” Fascinating.... Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals.