How Emotions Are Made
Psychology professor Lisa Feldman Barrett has written an important book about emotions. It beautifully describes how emotions are constructed depending on the body’s energy balance, sensory input, and language and shared practices. In this review, I explore her work through the lens of Sociological Safety®, a framework that examines the interaction between physiological, psychological, and sociological needs.
What Are Emotions?
Feldman Barrett challenges the classical view of emotions as universal and automatic responses. Instead, she argues that emotions are actively constructed by the brain, influenced by bodily sensations, prior experiences, and social context. These processes align closely with the three channels of safety outlined by Rob Jones (2022): physiological, psychological, and sociological.
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Physiological Safety
Emotions originate in the body’s energy balance and sensory inputs (e.g., hunger, stress, or arousal). For instance, Feldman Barrett explains how a racing heart can be interpreted as fear, excitement, or attraction depending on the context. -
Psychological Safety
The brain categorizes these sensations into meaningful emotions, driven by the need for cognitive and emotional stability. -
Sociological Safety®
Emotions are inseparable from their social and cultural dimensions. Feldman Barrett highlights this with culturally specific emotional concepts, such as gezellig in Dutch—a sense of comfort with friends—or liget in Filipino, describing passion and energy during competitive group challenges. These examples demonstrate how shared practices and language shape emotional experiences.
The Role of Sociological Safety® in Emotions
Having described Feldman Barrett’s theory of constructed emotion, we now explore how her ideas align with the concept of Sociological Safety® as introduced by Jones. Feldman Barrett’s work resonates with Jones' argument that emotions are inherently tied to the sociological realm. Our sense of security and well-being is deeply rooted in our social and relational environments. Where the relational forces are concerned: Feldman Barrett writes that a hostile or nurturing relational environment can significantly influence emotional experiences and interpretations. Where the social forces are concerned, Feldman Barrett writes that cultural norms, societal expectations, and historical contexts determine how emotions are expressed or suppressed. Feldman Barrett’s critique of universal emotional markers reinforces this point, as what might be interpreted as fear in one culture could signify respect in another.
This sociological perspective challenges the narrow focus of traditional psychological theories of emotion. Jones did the same while challenging the limitations of Maslow’s pyramid by advocating for a distinct focus on the social stratum (Jones, 2022).
An illustration - Jones' Tripartite Venn of Emotion
Barrett’s view that emotions are constructed aligns with the tripartite framework of safety as outlined by Jones, where the relational, situational, and individual dimensions are interdependent.
Emotions emerge at the intersection of:
- Physiological inputs (e.g., arousal, energy levels).
- Psychological frameworks (e.g., cognitive categorization).
- Sociological environments (e.g., shared practices and cultural norms).
Why This Matters
All this has great implications for understanding emotions. Firstly, recognizing emotions as sociologically constructed challenges treatment models that rely on universal emotional triggers. Incorporating relational and societal factors into mental health strategies could lead to more nuanced and effective approaches. This reminded me of the misapplicaiton of Elisabeth Kübler Ross’ five stages of grief, linearly, in business and therapy. She labeled five emotions that are experienced by people who suffer from terminal illness. In 1974, Kübler Ross came to the conclusion that these stages are not experienced in a strictly linear progression: 'Most of my patients have exhibited two or three stages simultaneously, and these do not always occur in the same order' (Kübler Ross, 1974). Next to this, Jones suggested that we must go beyond individualistic models and address the social structures that influence emotional health (Jones, 2024).
Secondly, Barrett’s critique of emotion-detection systems, which rely on faulty assumptions about universal expressions, redefines if and how safety and emotions could be "measured". A sociological approach would account for cultural and relational variability, so that the accuracy and fairness of such systems can be improved.
Finally, Feldman Barrett discusses how, in law and justice, legal interpretations of emotions like remorse or intent are often biased by stereotypes and cultural misunderstandings. This, importantly, affects verdicts and sentencing.
Conclusion - A New Vision for Emotion
Feldman Barrett’s book challenges us to rethink emotions as purely biological or psychological phenomena. Instead, emotions are dynamic constructs influenced by bodily signals, cognitive interpretations, and the social environments in which we live. This perspective empowers us to rethink how we perceive and construct emotions. It offers a way to improve not just our individual emotional experiences but also our relationships, institutions, and societies.
References:
Feldman Barrett, L. (2017), How Emotions Are Made – The Secret Life of the Brain, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Jones, R. (2022), "SSI Thought Letter: Vol. 1 Issue 1", Inclusive Works, February 1st, 2022, Medium.
Jones, R. (2024), "Emotions: Socially Constructed? Or, Socially Structured?", November 19th, 2024, Medium.
Kübler Ross, E. (1974), Questions and Answers On Death and Dying (First ed.), New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, pp. 25-26.