Emotional collectives: How groups shape emotions and emotions shape groups

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Group Dynamics
• Emotional Science

Background:

• Group settings are central to emotional activity, yet their specific role is not well understood.
• Key questions remain about how group dynamics influence individual emotions and expressions.
• The recognition, interpretation, and sharing of emotions within groups require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how group-level phenomena shape members' emotional experiences and expressions.
• To examine the recognition, interpretation, and sharing of emotional expressions in group settings.
• To understand the influence of emotional expressions on group members' emotions, cognitions, and behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Review of theoretical perspectives, including intergroup emotions theory, social appraisal theory, and emotions as social information theory.
• Synthesis of recent empirical findings on the role of emotions in groups.
• Organization of the review around two themes: how groups shape emotions and how emotions shape groups.

Main Results:

• Groups significantly shape emotional experiences and expressions within their settings.
• Emotional expressions are recognized, interpreted, and shared, influencing group members and observers.
• Novel empirical approaches are advancing the understanding of emotions in group contexts.

Conclusions:

• Research on emotional collectives is rapidly advancing.
• Understanding the interplay between groups and emotions is key to understanding the social nature of emotions.
• The study of emotions in groups offers critical insights into social interaction and collective behavior.