Reconstructing Basic Emotions with More Situated Social Interactions

Abstract

Mason and Capitanio (2012) offer an explanation of how basic emotions emerge in organisms that departs from the traditional nature–nurture dichotomy; however, they limit their definition of basic emotions to the development of functional states that are species-typical. It is argued that if Mason and Capitanio take these ideas a step further, they would be able to explain the development of basic emotions in a more complex way, one that would involve understanding how the exchange between the organism and the environment takes place in a specific context that gives meaning to these exchanges.

Basic Emotions: A Rejoinder

“…Botero (2012) suggests that we could have said more about social influences on development from an organismic standpoint. We concur completely.…”

“…The commentators (Botero, 2012; Parrot, 2012; Zachar, 2012) understand the broad outlines of our organismic approach and apparently accept its relevance to emotional development. However, for different reasons each expresses a concern with some aspect of our treatment of the basic emotion issue.…”