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Chapter 5 - Network Theories

from Part II - Emotion Theories One by One

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2022

Agnes Moors
Affiliation:
KU Leuven, Belgium
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Summary

This chapter discusses network theories in psychology (Lang, 1994; Leventhal, 1984; Lewis, 2005) and kindred theories in philosophy (Colombetti, 2009). While evolutionary theories focus on innate mechanisms, network theories shift focus to learning. Network theories propose the following causal-mechanistic explanation of emotion. An emotion is caused by the activation of an emotion network in memory, made up of representations of stimuli, emotional components (appraisals, somatic and motor responses, and feelings), and related information. The network can be activated via the stimulus side or the response side. Network theories come in a biological version, in which networks are built around affect programs, and a non-biological version, in which networks result from mutual interactions between emotional components. The biological version postulates that emotion networks have multiple layers, of which only some (those containing perceptual and/or response nodes) can directly cause emotions. The biological version accounts for the properties of ontogenetic and phylogenetic continuity, Intentionality, phenomenality, bodily aspect, heat, control precedence, and irrationality, even if the (world-directed) Intentionality is rather optional. The non-biological version is less suited to account for continuity. The biological version delivers discrete emotions whereas the non-biological version does not necessarily do so. Empirical research that tests network theories is discussed.

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Demystifying Emotions
A Typology of Theories in Psychology and Philosophy
, pp. 147 - 163
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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  • Network Theories
  • Agnes Moors, KU Leuven, Belgium
  • Book: Demystifying Emotions
  • Online publication: 11 August 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781107588882.009
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  • Network Theories
  • Agnes Moors, KU Leuven, Belgium
  • Book: Demystifying Emotions
  • Online publication: 11 August 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781107588882.009
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Network Theories
  • Agnes Moors, KU Leuven, Belgium
  • Book: Demystifying Emotions
  • Online publication: 11 August 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781107588882.009
Available formats
×