Introduction
The concept of cultural specificity of emotions has been a subject of considerable debate in psychology and anthropology. Cultural specificity refers to the idea that emotions and the expression of emotions vary across different cultures. This article will explore the research and evidence surrounding cultural specificity of emotions, with a focus on understanding the implications of this concept for psychology and anthropology.
Review of Literature
There have been several studies conducted on the subject of cultural specificity of emotions, with results that suggest that emotions are indeed expressed differently across cultures. For example, a study conducted by Keltner, Ellsworth, and Edwards (1993) examined how the expression of emotion differed across four cultures (American, Japanese, Mexican, and Filipino). They found that the American participants were more likely to express more intense emotions than the other three cultures, while the Filipino participants were more likely to express more subtle emotions. These results suggest that the expression of emotion is indeed culture-specific.
Similarly, a study conducted by Mesquita and Frijda (1992) looked at the differences in the expression of emotion across cultures. They found that the Dutch participants were more likely to express emotions verbally, while the Japanese participants were more likely to suppress their emotions. These results suggest that the expression of emotion across cultures is indeed culturally-specific.
In addition to these studies, a number of other studies have also suggested the existence of cultural specificity of emotions. For example, a study conducted by Kitayama, Mesquita, and Karasawa (1999) found that the Japanese participants were more likely to express emotions nonverbally, while the American participants were more likely to express emotions verbally. This suggests that the way in which emotions are expressed is indeed culture-specific.
Conclusion
The evidence from the studies discussed above suggests that emotions are indeed expressed differently across cultures. This highlights the importance of understanding the cultural specificity of emotions in order to better understand how emotions are expressed in different cultures. The implications of this for psychology and anthropology are clear: it is essential to take into account the cultural specificity of emotions when studying the expression of emotions in different cultures.
References
Keltner, D., Ellsworth, P. C., & Edwards, K. (1993). Beyond simple pessimism: Effects of sadness and anger on social perception. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64(5), 740–752.
Kitayama, S., Mesquita, B., & Karasawa, M. (1999). Cultural variation in the self-regulation of emotion: A comparison between Japanese and Americans. Motivation and Emotion, 23(3), 219–232.
Mesquita, B., & Frijda, N. (1992). Cultural variation in emotion antecedents. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62(5), 760–768.