In her new book How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain, renowned psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett makes a compelling case about the constructed theory of emotions. Unlike the classical theory that posits that emotions are built-in reactions triggered by the environment, Barrett claims that emotions do not happen to us without our volition. Rather, we construct our emotions by making meaning of sensations, and making predictions using our past experiences and our collection of concepts. Thus, as “architects of our experiences” (p. 57) we need not be at the mercy of our emotions – rather, we can learn to master them.
Here are 7 suggestions from Barrett to help you along the way.
