How Emotions Are Made : The Secret Life of the Brain

A new theory of how the brain constructs emotions that could revolutionize psychology, health care, law enforcement, & our understanding of the human mind Emotions feel automatic to us; that's why scientists have long assumed that emotions are hardwired in the body or the brain. Today, however, the science of emotion is in the midst of a revolution on par with the discovery of relativity in physics & natural selection in biology. This paradigm shift has far-reaching implications not only for psychology but also medicine, the legal system, airport security, child-rearing, & even meditation. Leading the charge is psychologist & neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, whose theory of emotion is driving a deeper understanding of the mind & brain, & what it means to be human. Her research overturns the widely held belief that emotions are housed in different parts of the brain, & are universally expressed & recognized. Instead, emotion is constructed in the moment by core systems interacting across the whole brain, aided by a lifetime of learning. Are emotions more than automatic reactions? Does rational thought really control emotion? How does emotion affect disease? How can you make your children more emotionally intelligent? How Emotions Are Made reveals the latest research & intriguing practical applications of the new science of emotion, mind, & brain.°°°Lisa Feldman Barrett, psychological scientist & neuroscientist, has made fundamental contributions to understanding the nature of emotion. She has demonstrated, both theoretically & experimentally, that anger, sadness, fear, & other emotions are flexible biological categories, filled with diverse, situated instances, challenging conventional wisdom that emotions are innate & universal. Her research has shown that instances of emotion are flexibly constructed by the dynamic interaction of multiple brain networks, not by simple circuits; are culturally rel A New Theory Of How The Brain Constructs Emotions That Could Revolutionize Psychology, Health Care, Law Enforcement, And Our Understanding Of The Human Mind. Emotions Feel Automatic, Like Uncontrollable Reactions To Things We Think And Experience. Scientists Have Long Supported This Assumption By Claiming That Emotions Are Hardwired In The Body Or The Brain. Today, However, The Science Of Emotion Is In The Midst Of A Revolution On Par With The Discovery Of Relativity In Physics And Natural Selection In Biology--ans This Paradigm Shift Has Far-reaching Implications For Us All. Leading The Charge Is Psychologist And Neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, Whose Theory Of Emotion Is Driving A Deeper Understanding Of The Mind And Brain, And Shedding New Light On What It Means To Be Human. Her Research Overturns The Widely Held Belief That Emotions Are Housed In Different Parts Of The Brain And Are Universally Expressed And Recognized. Instead, She Has Shown That Emotion Is Constructed In The Moment, By Core Systems That Interact Across The Whole Brain, Aided By A Lifetime Of Learning. This New Theory Means That You Play A Much Greater Role In Your Emotional Life Than You Ever Thought. Its Repercussions Are Already Shaking The Foundations Not Only Of Psychology But Also Of Medicine, The Legal System, Child-rearing, Meditation, And Even Airport Security. Why Do Emotions Feel Automatic? Does Rational Thought Really Control Emotion? How Does Emotion Affect Disease? How Can You Make Your Children More Emotionally Intelligent? How Emotions Are Made Answers These Questions And Many More, Revealing The Latest Research And Intriguing Practical Applications Of The New Science Of Emotion, Mind, And Brain-- The Two-thousand-year-old Assumption -- The Search For Emotion's Fingerprints -- Emotions Are Constructed -- The Myth Of Universal Emotions -- The Origin Of Feeling -- Concepts, Goals, And Words -- How The Brain Makes Emotions -- Emotions As Social Reality -- A New View Of Human Nature -- Mastering Your Emotions -- Emotion And Illness -- Emotion And The Law -- Is A Growling Dog Angry? -- From Brain To Mind : The New Frontier -- Appendix A. Brain Basics -- Appendix B. Supplement For Chapter 2 -- Appendix C. Supplement For Chapter 3 -- Appendix D. Evidence For The Concept Cascade. Lisa Feldman Barrett. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "A new theory of how the brain constructs emotions that could revolutionize psychology, health care, the legal system, and our understanding of the human mind. Emotions feel automatic, like uncontrollable reactions to things we think and experience. Scientists have long supported this assumption by claiming that emotions are hardwired in the body or the brain. Today, however, the science of emotion is in the midst of a revolution on par with the discovery of relativity in physics and natural selection in biology--and this paradigm shift has far-reaching implications for us all. Leading the charge is psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, whose theory of emotion is driving a deeper understanding of the mind and brain, and shedding new light on what it means to be human. Her research overturns the widely held belief that emotions are housed in different parts of the brain and are universally expressed and recognized. Instead, she has shown that emotion is constructed in the moment, by core systems that interact across the whole brain, aided by a lifetime of learning. This new theory means that you play a much greater role in your emotional life than you ever thought. Its repercussions are already shaking the foundations not only of psychology but also of medicine, the legal system, child-rearing, meditation, and even airport security. Why do emotions feel automatic? Does rational thought really control emotion? How does emotion affect disease? How can you make your children more emotionally intelligent? How Emotions Are Made answers these questions and many more, revealing the latest research and intriguing practical applications of the new science of emotion, mind, and brain."-- Provided by publisher "A new theory of how the brain constructs emotions that could revolutionize psychology, health care, law enforcement, and our understanding of the human mind Emotions feel automatic, like uncontrollable reactions to things we think and experience. Scientists have long supported this assumption by claiming that emotions are hardwired in the body or the brain. Today, however, the science of emotion is in the midst of a revolution on par with the discovery of relativity in physics and natural selection in biology--and this paradigm shift has far-reaching implications for us all. Leading the charge is psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, whose theory of emotion is driving a deeper understanding of the mind and brain, and shedding new light on what it means to be human. Her research overturns the widely held belief that emotions are housed in different parts of the brain and are universally expressed and recognized. Instead, she has shown that emotion is constructed in the moment, by core systems that interact across the whole brain, aided by a lifetime of learning. This new theory means that you play a much greater role in your emotional life than you ever thought. Its repercussions are already shaking the foundations not only of psychology but also of medicine, the legal system, child-rearing, meditation, and even airport security. Why do emotions feel automatic? Does rational thought really control emotion? How does emotion affect disease? How can you make your children more emotionally intelligent? How Emotions Are Made answers these questions and many more, revealing the latest research and intriguing practical applications of the new science of emotion, mind, and brain"-- Provided by publisher "A new theory of how the brain constructs emotions that could revolutionize psychology, health care, law enforcement, and our understanding of the human mind. Emotions feel automatic, like uncontrollable reactions to things we think and experience. Scientists have long supported this assumption by claiming that emotions are hardwired in the body or the brain. Today, however, the science of emotion is in the midst of a revolution on par with the discovery of relativity in physics and natural selection in biology--ans this paradigm shift has far-reaching implications for us all. Leading the charge is psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, whose theory of emotion is driving a deeper understanding of the mind and brain, and shedding new light on what it means to be human. Her research overturns the widely held belief that emotions are housed in different parts of the brain and are universally expressed and recognized. Instead, she has shown that emotion is constructed in the moment, by core systems that interact across the whole brain, aided by a lifetime of learning. This new theory means that you play a much greater role in your emotional life than you ever thought. Its repercussions are already shaking the foundations not only of psychology but also of medicine, the legal system, child-rearing, meditation, and even airport security. Why do emotions feel automatic? Does rational thought really control emotion? How does emotion affect disease? How can you make your children more emotionally intelligent? How Emotions Are Madeanswers these questions and many more, revealing the latest research and intriguing practical applications of the new science of emotion, mind, and brain"-- Provided by publisher Preeminent psychologist Lisa Barrett lays out how the brain constructs emotions in a way that could revolutionize psychology, health care, the legal system, and our understanding of the human mind. “Fascinating . . . A thought-provoking journey into emotion science.”—The Wall Street Journal “A singular book, remarkable for the freshness of its ideas and the boldness and clarity with which they are presented.”—Scientific American “A brilliant and original book on the science of emotion, by the deepest thinker about this topic since Darwin.”—Daniel Gilbert, best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness The science of emotion is in the midst of a revolution on par with the discovery of relativity in physics and natural selection in biology. Leading the charge is psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, whose research overturns the long-standing belief that emotions are automatic, universal, and hardwired in different brain regions. Instead, Barrett shows, we construct each instance of emotion through a unique interplay of brain, body, and culture. A lucid report from the cutting edge of emotion science, How Emotions Are Made reveals the profound real-world consequences of this breakthrough for everything from neuroscience and medicine to the legal system and even national security, laying bare the immense implications of our latest and most intimate scientific revolution.