Chapter 13 :Meaning structure of emotion terms: Integration across components

Authors : K. R. Scherer & J. R. J. Fontaine

Abstract : This chapter compares the role of the different components in predicting the overall dimensions. The contribution of the appraisal factors seems to be mediated by the reaction component factors. A stepwise discriminant analysis, introducing the component factors in the theoretically expected order, supports the proposed primacy of appraisal as a differentiating component.Tthe major conclusions from the main data set are: (1) the semantic profiles of major emotion words are shared in a stable fashion within and across different cultures; (2) four factors are needed to span the emotional space; (3) unique dimensional structures for each component, adapted to its specific function in the emotion episode, are identified; (4) the emotion component factors differentially contribute to the overall dimensions without duplicating the overall structure; (5) a combination of only the ten best predictors drawn from several components allows to differentiate the categories with approx. 70% accuracy in a multiple discriminant analysis.

Keywords : component integration role of specific components conclusions