How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life Of The Brain
If you are someone who is interested to know about emotions and how they originate, this is a perfect read for you. How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of The Brain, a book by Lisa Feldman Barret, is pleasant to read. Various books have been published on the subject of what many called as "emotional intelligence".
What makes this book interesting is the fact that it is written by an actual scientist unlike many who write on the subject. She uses a concise and clear writing style which makes this book easy to read. This Book Review will help you decide whether you should invest your time in what Barret has to say or not.
Introduction
We all are aware of what emotions are. But how many of us know how they are formed? Do you also wonder how all these emotions come up? Scientists and researchers have spent years understanding the construction of the brain, nerves and, emotions. Emotions are like grandma's special dish. We all know what is it but we do not know how it is cooked! How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of The Brain, a book by Lisa Feldman Barret, will take you on an adventure to answer some or all of your questions. Barret has propounded a new theory. She claims that in contrast to the traditional belief of emotions universally recognized, emotions are made instantly in a moment and are not consistent. She has also tried to break the myth that we have no control over our feelings or emotions. Barret explains that we play a crucial role in controlling or creating our emotions. Some even say that this book can revolutionize the whole findings of the human brain, psychology, medicine, and law enforcement. This book deals with the new applications of mind, brain, and emotions.
Key Observations from the Book
· Barret explains that the main purpose of the brain is to predict what is going to happen in the next second. To do that brain creates versions of the world using the brain predicts the future. We perceive the world using these versions and simulations called predictions in the book. These versions are formed subconsciously, which we use them to perceive the world around us. They can be adjusted or modified hence changing our perceptions. It's known that emotions already exist as part of our bodies. However, Barret argues that we create our emotions, as we grow and mature.
· We all associate emotions with the hour the body reacts. The way our body reacts is how we interpret our feelings. For instance, if one is getting an award or has failed a test. One experiences a tingling sensation in the stomach. To decide whether one is happy or sad depends on the situation. We interpret our emotions based on how our
bodies react to external factors. Barret says that we interpret the signals of our bodies incorrectly. She used a familiar example explaining that when we feel affectionate towards someone, that can be the flu. She further explains that it is possible we think those signs are coming from the mind. However, they are just the normal processes of the body taking place.
· Barret explains that the effect is simply a feeling and not an emotion. Affect can be of two kinds- one is the state of arousal which expresses how relaxed or alert you are. Another is the state of valence, which is how amused or unamused you feel.
· How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain talks about the word into different categories. When we classify everything based on similar features, it gets difficult to understand things from others' perspectives. Not everyone understands things similarly, which means they might have different categories. Classifying everything can create problems as others don't know of those categories.
· Barret argues that our emotions are a way to express what is going inside to others. Emotions are a medium through which one can communicate with others. That is why it is easier to have a name for every emotion. It is discomforting and almost threatening when we experience an emotion unknown. They are a way of social interaction. The author further says that gender bias plays a crucial role in labeling emotions. For instance, sensitive, motherly emotions are for women and, anger is for men.
· This book has raised serious questions on the earlier findings by eminent scientists. The author reveals various surprising facts related to the human brain. Emotions are not in-build but constructed according to our circumstances. Further, often we talk about actions done in the heat of the moment, subconscious prejudices, absence of intent, and more. The authors argue that we have a greater role to play on our emotions more than we think. It leads to implications in the legal field. Criminal jurisprudence and several other laws often talk about the concept of free will. If we go by what Barret believes, it can change how law enforcement works.
Conclusion
The author has explained how our emotions are more than just nerves reacting. She argues in her book emotions are influenced by our external factors. How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of The Brain can make you wonder how feelings are born. Various authors and readers are trying to decode her book because it can become the next big thing in medicine, psychology, and law enforcement. The book by Feldman also talks about the subjectivity of how humans perceive emotions. Lisa Feldman Barret is known for her theory of constructed emotions. She has done some exceptional work in her field. To understand her theory clearly, it is essential to the read book. If you wish to read her book, the same is available on amazon worldwide.
In case you like the book How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of The Brain. You may also want to read Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky.
