Introduction: Emotions in Social Life: Mapping the Sociological Terrain

Introduces an edited Vol that overviews leading theoretical & empirical work on the sociology of emotions. Emotions have been neglected in the social sciences largely because of a conventional Western body-mind division. Contributors challenge this prejudice by introducing alternative ways of knowing & being. Theoretical topics include the relationship between biological & social explanations of emotion, emotion & social agency, the embodied nature of emotions, & the role of emotions in the civilizing process. The influence of new information systems & communication technology on emotional experience is examined. Also explored is whether emotions change across the biographically embodied life course. Contributions share concerns about gender & social health. Although this is a new field of social inquiry, it promises to transcend many of the most sterile & dualistic divides that have plagued sociology since its foundation. 81 References. D. Ryfe