Status, gender, and the politics of emotional authenticity
-
Leah R. Warner
Abstract
In this chapter, we focus on observations of emotional authenticity in everyday social relations: what criteria do observers use to determine whether another’s emotions are authentic or not? And, what are the consequences of their perceptions? We emphasize that the observer’s perception of emotional authenticity is important for the study of social relations, but that these perceptions are disputable. As a result, assessments of emotional authenticity are potential areas of contention. We then contextualize perceptions of emotional authenticity in terms of the role that these perceptions play in competition for status and power. We examine how status-related biases and motivational factors affect perceptions of emotional authenticity, and in particular, we focus on biases concerning gender. We examine these biases through the dimensions of emotional authenticity identified by Salmela (2005): sincerity, rationality, and autonomy. We conclude with a brief discussion of the consequences that such observations have for targets and the question that ultimately arises from perceptions of emotional authenticity: who precisely holds the right to determine authentic emotion.
Abstract
In this chapter, we focus on observations of emotional authenticity in everyday social relations: what criteria do observers use to determine whether another’s emotions are authentic or not? And, what are the consequences of their perceptions? We emphasize that the observer’s perception of emotional authenticity is important for the study of social relations, but that these perceptions are disputable. As a result, assessments of emotional authenticity are potential areas of contention. We then contextualize perceptions of emotional authenticity in terms of the role that these perceptions play in competition for status and power. We examine how status-related biases and motivational factors affect perceptions of emotional authenticity, and in particular, we focus on biases concerning gender. We examine these biases through the dimensions of emotional authenticity identified by Salmela (2005): sincerity, rationality, and autonomy. We conclude with a brief discussion of the consequences that such observations have for targets and the question that ultimately arises from perceptions of emotional authenticity: who precisely holds the right to determine authentic emotion.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Authenticity, emotions, and the self
- Self-love and the structure of personal values 11
- The self of shame 33
- Authenticity and self-governance 51
-
Part II. Ramifications of emotional authenticity
- Picturing the authenticity of emotions 71
- Status, gender, and the politics of emotional authenticity 91
- How to be “emotional”? 113
- Authenticity and occupational emotions 133
-
Part III. Emotional authenticity in ethics and moral psychology
- Is emotivism more authentic than cognitivism? 155
- Emotional authenticity as a central basis of moral psychology 179
- Authentic emotions as ethical guides? 195
- Emotional optimality and moral force 215
- Index 235
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Authenticity, emotions, and the self
- Self-love and the structure of personal values 11
- The self of shame 33
- Authenticity and self-governance 51
-
Part II. Ramifications of emotional authenticity
- Picturing the authenticity of emotions 71
- Status, gender, and the politics of emotional authenticity 91
- How to be “emotional”? 113
- Authenticity and occupational emotions 133
-
Part III. Emotional authenticity in ethics and moral psychology
- Is emotivism more authentic than cognitivism? 155
- Emotional authenticity as a central basis of moral psychology 179
- Authentic emotions as ethical guides? 195
- Emotional optimality and moral force 215
- Index 235
