Social Psychology of Emotion
- Darren Ellis
- Ian Tucker - University of East London, UK
Social Psychology
This book analyses historical, philosophical, psychological, biological, sociological, post-structural, and technological perspectives of emotion that it argues are important for a viable social psychology of emotion. It begins with early ancient philosophical conceptualisations of pathos and ends with analytical discussions of the transmission of affect which permeate the digital revolution.
It is essential reading for upper level students and researchers of emotion in psychology, sociology, psychosocial studies and across the social sciences.
This impressive book is simultaneously erudite, comprehensive and accessible. Ellis & Tucker place the social psychology of emotion in its historical context, whilst also providing an introduction to some of the contemporary social scientific work associated with the ‘affective turn’. In so doing they draw out the sometimes unexpected continuities, discontinuities and uncertainties that have characterised this field, whilst clearly demonstrating the continual relevance of emotional phenomena to social psychology. With clear aims for each chapter and suggestions for further reading throughout, this book should be a valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
This is a wide-ranging account of key conceptualisations of emotion which spans contributions from a range of disciplines. The authors explore the complexities of debates involved in social-psychological accounts of emotion. The book concludes with a consideration of the status of emotion in the digital age.
Useful for students writing their independent study - I love the book and use it when planning lessons too
Important additional literature for students who want to focus on this topic within the field of experience design
Very useful overview of strands of thought on interpersonal emotional engagement, and especially for rethinking approaches to social media interaction in Media and Cultural Studies - the authors do a terrific job of guiding the reader through what would in other circumstances be new and somewhat dry territory. They make this material accessible and interesting, and I imagine this would be a good set text for Social Psychology and Psychosocial Studies undergraduate programmes. However, whereas I would recommend this book to those students who were seriously engaged with the subject matter in their final year of study for dissertation or applied research projects in Film, Media or Journalism Studies, say, I would probably not use as a set text for subhonours modules in Film and Media Studies programmes.
Useful further reading for those interested in the subject