Anthropology of emotions: are they innate or cognitive?

The notion of emotion may seem a ‘universal’ subject, and something we all feel and understand wherever we come from. However, in anthropology, emotions are seen as being deeply linked to the social and cultural contexts in which we are found. We do not express emotions merely as spontaneous reactions, but through a physical body that is, to an extent, the result of a cultural ‘construction’. Indeed, while the body is a biological entity made of flesh, bones and fluids, it also reflects the processes of enculturation that make us specific persons in a given society.

I talked about this at a training event for teachers and educators as part of the school programme for scholastic inclusion. The event is organised by associazione HiNic “Human Inclucation” based in Andria, Italy, and by centro di orientamento “Don Bosco”, accredited by the Ministry of Education for teacher training.

Anthropology of emotions

Anthropology has long shown a focus on emotions as socio-cultural constructions. This perspective has given rise to a strand of studies known as the ‘anthropology of the emotions’, a paradigm that investigates the role of the emotional sphere in human groups, exploring emotions as a meeting ground for the individual, the body and society.

From this perspective, emotions are not just spontaneous reactions, but interpretations that we construct based on patterns and moral codes absorbed through the processes of enculturation and acculturation. These processes are often unconscious and follow us from childhood, shaping the way we perceive, understand and respond to what happens around us.

The role of emotions in education

For teachers and educators, understanding the role of emotions as cultural constructs is essential for creating an inclusive environment. The seminar aims to provide tools to better understand how the emotions of boys and girls are influenced by their backgrounds and how emotional experiences can be interpreted differently depending on the culture of origin.

Reflecting on emotions through an anthropological lens provides a basis for promoting greater awareness in education, helping teachers to understand how emotions can be a tool for connecting the individual and the community and how they can be handled in an empathetic and culturally sensitive manner.

The anthropology of emotions encourages us to consider emotions not only as personal experiences, but as part of a broader cultural web that shapes us.

The presentation slides of the seminar can be downloaded here for free 👇🏽

Antropologia delle emozioni (9 novembre 2024).pdf

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