Understanding Emotions

by Keith Oatley, Dacher Keltner, Jennifer M. Jenkins

Emotions are an inescapable part of the human experience. They motivate actions and reactions, guide our interpersonal and business relationships, inspire political and societal trends, and influence our sense of self and well-being. Emphasizing the broad practical reach of this field of study, Understanding Emotions draws from neuroscience, psychiatry, biology, genetics, the humanities, economics, and more to provide a strong foundation in core concepts. An easy-to-follow narrative arc encompasses the entire life span, while representative studies provide immediate insight into the real-world implications of important findings. This new Fourth Edition continues to provide clear and concise guidance toward the factors that drive emotion, with new, revised, and expanded discussions that reflect the current state of the field. Detailed coverage of social and anti-social motivations, moral judgment, empathy, psychological disorders, the physiological components of emotion, and many more equip students with the conceptual tools to probe deeper into the material and apply methods and techniques to their own personal lives.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Emotion, Textbooks, Reference, Science

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[aikaterine]

For the course about the Psychology of Emotions.
So very interesting!

[Maja]

I’m here to say that emotions scientific and clinical aspects was one of the messiest and badly structured courses I have experienced in my life. the book was fine though whatever 🙄🙄

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good revision. Worth using over older additions. Great textbook. Easily the best in its category at present.

[Hom Sack · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent textbook which is not too difficult to read for the layperson on the subject. Highly recommended.

[Judit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent textbook. Has all the elements of a good textbook or non-fiction book: gives details about experiments, cross-references various studies, mentions the links to biology, all in all an excellent book on the topic.
In college I took a course on the psychology of emotions that was lead by a researcher on the topic. The course didn't have a recommended textbook or too much written information besides some slides provided by the lecturer, and the information was fascinating but I always felt something was missing. This is a really good introduction to the topic, so if you are thinking of taking a similar course this will be a good base for it.
I would however not recommend it to anyone who does not enjoy non-fiction, and even then if you like non-fiction, but dislike the constant references to other scientific work within the text, then you'll see this as boring, so just skip this.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good comprehensive psychology textbook on Emotion. Authors have a good sense of humor, and know literature and the history of ideas about emotion that enriches this book and makes it better than the average textbook. Would be good people to talk to I think. They are Canadians and it shows!

[junia]

Interesting.
A little wack.
Read through speedily twice.
Once before midterms and once before finals.

Dacher is a good lecturer :-)

[Amanda]

Gerald Cupchik's class