TOWARDS A UNIVERSAL POWER AND STATUS THEORY OF EMOTION
Theory and Research on Human Emotions
ISBN: 978-0-76231-108-8, eISBN: 978-1-84950-271-9
Publication date: 9 July 2004
Abstract
It is the general purpose of this chapter to introduce assumptions, postulates and hypotheses concerning the social nature of human emotions. I will propose some universal social causes of emotion categories by integrating Kemper’s (1978) power and status dimensions in dyadic relations to universal structures of human groups. These structures, of Self and Other meeting or not meeting expectations and receiving rewards or not, predict specific emotion categories. Power and status dimensions are added to the model and defined in terms of expectation/sanction (E/S) states, and are proposed to be universal as well. Furthermore, changing E/S conditions produce corresponding changes in power/status relations, and changes in emotion categories. These changing social structural conditions cause individual anxieties to emerge. Extending Kemper’s theoretical conceptualizations, gaining or losing power-advantage or status-advantage predicts syndromes of universal anxiety emotions.
Citation
Thamm, R. (2004), "TOWARDS A UNIVERSAL POWER AND STATUS THEORY OF EMOTION", Turner, J.H. (Ed.) Theory and Research on Human Emotions (Advances in Group Processes, Vol. 21), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 189-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0882-6145(04)21008-6
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited