BROADCASTS.com

Are emotions universal? Do you think people are programmed to feel a certain way in specific situations? Or is there a clear distinction between what makes you feel angry, happy or sad, compared to someone else?\n\nToday\u2019s guest is someone whose work I believe can help all of us to make better connections in a fractured, modern world. Batja Mesquita is a social psychologist, affective scientist, and pioneer of cultural psychology. She\u2019s also a Professor of Psychology at the University of Leuven in Belgium and in her ground-breaking book, Between Us: How Cultures Create Emotions, she suggests emotions don\u2019t live within us, they arise between us. They are made, not innate; they form in response to social interaction and can differ dramatically across societies and cultures.\n\nThat\u2019s not, of course, to deny our emotions are authentic \u2013 or to say that we don\u2019t feel them deeply. Rather it\u2019s a way to acknowledge that not everyone will see the same situation in the same way. We can probably all think of occasions where someone from another culture has responded unusually to us \u2013 or where our own behaviour has been misunderstood by them.\n\nIn this conversation, Batja gives examples of how, as a Dutch academic visiting America, she found her colleagues\u2019 culture of compliments uncomfortable and overfamiliar. She explains that it\u2019s not about our language, although the words we choose to describe our feelings can be significant. Instead, says Batja, our culture, heritage, gender, socioeconomic group or even age influences how we interpret the world \u2013 and so what our emotional norms are in a given situation.\n\nWe cover so many thought-provoking topics, including:\n\n\nWhat emotions really are \u2013 and why anger, shame or pride might differ across cultures.\n\nParenting and how we understand and influence our child\u2019s emotions.\n\nThe immigrant experience and how being raised with dual cultures might affect your relationships and approach to life.\n\nHow a better understanding of cultural differences and language interpretation could help doctor-patient relationships.\n\n\nI absolutely loved Batja\u2019s book and I think her work is really important. The more we are able to connect with our fellow humans instead of judging them, the happier and more harmonious the world is going to be. I hope you enjoy listening.\n\nSupport the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts\xa0https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to\xa0https://fblm.supercast.com.\n\nThanks to our sponsors:\nhttps://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemore\nhttps://www.athleticgreens.com/livemore\n\nShow notes\xa0https://drchatterjee.com/344\n\nDISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.