Mixed Emotions: Anthropological Studies of Feeling

Description

Emotions are of increasing interest in all the human sciences. In the past two decades, a growing number of anthropologists have explored emotional dynamics in a variety of geographic and cultural settings, and have developed various, at times conflicting, theories of emotion. This book fills a major gap by providing a concise introduction to the anthropology of emotions that outlines some of the major themes and controversies. Drawing on fieldwork undertaken in Europe, Japan and Melanesia, the authors explore how consciousness, memory, identity and politics are intimately related to emotional processes. A broad range of case studies covers such topics as how fear is managed in Belfast, how Spanish gypsies grieve and why Japanese tourists are drawn to monkey parks. This book will be of interest to anyone seeking to understand the formative impact emotions have on culture and society in an increasingly globalized world.

Kay Milton is Head of the School of Anthropological Studies, Queens University Belfast. Maruska Svasek is a researcher in the School of Anthropological Studies, Queens University Belfast.

'This useful collection should be of interest to not only anthropologists but to psychologists, philosophers and sociologists as well.' Choice Magazine 'I read this book with great interest, and I will continue to think about many of the issues raised for a considerable time to come. This is a most welcome addition to anthropological studies of emotion.' Katie Glaskin, University of Western Australia, Anthropological Forum Vol 18, No. 1, March 2008