Mixed emotions: Anthropological studies of feeling

Abstract

Emotions are of increasing interest in all the human sciences. In the past two decades, a growing number of anthropologists have explored emotional dynamics in a variety of geographic and cultural settings, and have developed various, at times conflicting, theories of emotion. This book fills a major gap by providing a concise introduction to the anthropology of emotions that outlines some of the major themes and controversies. Drawing on fieldwork undertaken in Europe, Japan and Melanesia, the authors explore how consciousness, memory, identity and politics are intimately related to emotional processes. A broad range of case studies covers such topics as how fear is managed in Belfast, how Spanish gypsies grieve and why Japanese tourists are drawn to monkey parks. This book will be of interest to anyone seeking to understand the formative impact emotions have on culture and society in an increasingly globalized world.