Imagining an Affective Sociology

Abstract

In the following essay, I make the case that sociology is long overdue for an affective “turn,” or a full-scale embrace of emotional dynamics. For most of its history, sociology has had a tenuous relationship with emotions and affect. Sometimes ignored, more often examined as a dependent variable caused by structure, culture, and cognition, a diverse array of research on motivation and action demonstrates affect is a causal force of thinking and doing. I begin by drawing from this research and some corners of sociology already embracing affectivism to make the case for an affective sociology. Once outlined, I point to some possible directions for a systematic, vibrant research agenda.