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Basic Emotions or Constructed Emotions: Insights From Taking an Evolutionary Perspective.

Karlijn van Heijst1, Mariska E Kret2,3,4, Annemie Ploeger5

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Basic emotion theories (BETs) and the theory of constructed emotion (TCE) may explain different phenomena—emotion and feeling, respectively. Reconciling these requires clear definitions to advance emotion research.

Keywords:
basic emotion theoryemotionevolutionfeelingtheory of constructed emotion

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Theories of emotion research are divided between basic emotion theories (BETs) and the theory of constructed emotion (TCE).
  • This ongoing debate hinders scientific progress in understanding the nature and evolution of emotions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reconcile BETs and TCE by analyzing them through the lens of Tinbergen's four questions.
  • To clarify the evolutionary basis of emotion theories and identify areas of convergence.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and conceptual analysis.
  • Application of Tinbergen's four questions (causation, development, evolution, survival value) to BETs and TCE.

Main Results:

  • BETs primarily address the evolutionary aspect of emotion, while TCE focuses on causation.
  • Both theories largely agree on the survival value of emotions, emphasizing adaptive responses.
  • Evidence for the evolutionary history of emotions is growing but remains limited for both frameworks.

Conclusions:

  • BETs and TCE may explain distinct phenomena: emotion and feeling, respectively.
  • While seemingly irreconcilable, these theories could be supplementary for studying emotion evolution.
  • Clearer definitions of what aspects of emotion are studied are crucial for converging evidence.