Chapter 04 of 5
Built, Not Born?
The newer idea that the brain constructs emotions rather than reacting with them.
- The Search
Looking for fingerprints
For decades, scientists searched for a unique brain pattern or body signature for each emotion — a fingerprint for anger, another for fear.
- The Results
No clean fingerprints
Large reviews of brain-imaging and body studies found no single, consistent pattern that reliably marks each emotion.
- Variety
Many kinds of anger
Anger can come with a racing heart or a cold calm, a shout or a smile. The same emotion takes many forms.
17 more cards in this chapter
Could you answer this?
What has research on 'emotional granularity' found?
😊 What Are Feelings For?
- 01Darwin's FacesAre facial expressions a universal language — or less than they seem?
- 02The Body Feels FirstDoes your heart race because you're afraid — or are you afraid because it races?
- 03The Fear Centre?The amygdala, fear, and why there's no single fear button.
- 04Built, Not Born?The newer idea that the brain constructs emotions rather than reacting with them.
- 05Riding the WaveWhat research says actually helps with difficult emotions.