Emotion Socialization

Abstract

In this chapter we are interested primarily in the social functions of emotion and how development may influence them. Our emphasis will be on the expressive, communicative aspects of emotion as they relate both to (a) interpersonal interactions and (b) the organization of one’s own behavior. In our view, these two functions are inseparable facets in the expression of emotion. Throughout we take a developmental perspective because we are interested in the changes that occur in emotion and emotional expression. We also take an ecological perspective, as we assume that the emotional and perceptual systems interact, that affective perception is adaptive, and that there are developmental differences in the affective affordances of the environment.