The Emotions

Studies in Emotion and Social Interaction

by Nico H. Frijda

What are 'emotions'? Drawing together the threads of current research on the nature and funactions of emotional expression, of physiological reactions, and of emotional experience, this book offers a balanced survey of facts and theory. Nico Frijda discusses the motivational and neurophysiological preconditions for emotions, and the ways in which emotions are regulated by the individual. Considering the kinds of events that elicit emotions, he argues that emotions arise because events are appraised by people as favorable or harmful to their own interests. he takes an information-processing perspective: Emotions are viewed as outcomes of the process of assessing the world in terms of one's own concerns, which, in turn, modify action readiness. This analysis leads him to address such fundamental issues as the place of emotion in motivation generally and the discrepancy between the functions of the emotions and their often irrational and disruptive character. An important contribution to recent debates, The Emotions does not presuppose extensive prior knowledge.

Genres: Psychology

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Studied psychology at Amsterdam University. Ph.D. 1956 at Amsterdam University on a thesis on "Understanding Facial Expression of Emotions".

Worked as clinical psychologist at the Dutch Army Neurosis Center and youth delinquency center, Ministry of Justice, 1952-1955. Assistant professor, University of Amsterdam, 1955-1965. Professor in experimental and theoretical psychology, 1965-1992 (retirement), University of Amsterdam. Professor extraordinarius in emotion psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1992-2002.

Visiting professor, Universiteit van Maastricht, University College Utrecht, Maison des Sciences de l'Homme/LEPS, Paris, Université de Paris X-Nanterre, Université de Genève, Universitas de San Sebastian, Universitá di Bari, Universitá di Padova, Universidade di Sao Paulo.

Chairman, Netherlands Psychonomics Foundation, 1965-1975; co-founder, executive officer, member, International Society for Research on Emotion (ISRE); director, Institute for Emotion and Motivation, Amsterdam University,1988-1992.

Member, Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences; member, Netherlands Society for the Sciences; member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Honorary Doctorate, Universitá degli Studi di Padova.
Three children from a first marriage. Lived in Amsterdam with his second wife and their son.

Reviews

[Nelson Zagalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Central book for anyone approaching Emotion from cognitive side. Wide and in depth detail on human emotion appareil, response, effects, causes, stimulus.