Categorical versus Dimensional Models of Affect
A seminar on the theories of Panksepp and Russell
Editors
One of the most important theoretical and empirical issues in the scholarly study of emotion is whether there is a correct list of “basic” types of affect or whether all affective states are better modeled as a combination of locations on shared underlying dimensions. Many thinkers have written on this topic, yet the views of two scientists in particular are dominant. The first is Jaak Panksepp, the father of Affective Neuroscience. Panksepp conceptualizes affect as a set of distinct categories. The leading proponent of the dimensional approach in scientific psychology is James Russell. According to Russell all affect can be decomposed into two underlying dimensions, pleasure versus displeasure and low arousal versus high arousal.
In this volume Panksepp and Russell each articulate their positions on eleven fundamental questions about the nature of affect followed by a discussion of these target papers by noted emotion theorists and researchers. Russell and Panksepp respond both to each other and to the commentators. The discussion leads to some stark contrasts, with formidable arguments on both sides, and some interesting convergences between the two streams of work.
[Consciousness & Emotion Book Series, 7] 2012. vi, 350 pp.
Publishing status: Available
Published online on 8 June 2012
Published online on 8 June 2012
© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Table of Contents
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1. Introduction: Categories, dimensions, and the problem of progress in affective sciencePeter Zachar | pp. 1–30
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2. In defense of multiple Core AffectsJaak Panksepp | pp. 31–78
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3. From a psychological constructionist perspectiveJames A. Russell | pp. 79–118
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4. “Nature proposes…and science disposes” tertiary vs primary process approaches to emotions and affects: Commentary on Jim Russell’s positionJaak Panksepp | pp. 119–128
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5. Preliminary comments on PankseppJames A. Russell | pp. 129–134
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6. Discrete emotions: From folk psychology to causal mechanismsAndrea Scarantino | pp. 135–154
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7. Nothing in mammalian psychology makes sense except in light of primary-process affective capacitiesPaul Sheldon Davies | pp. 155–174
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8. Lessons for affective science from a metascience of ‘molecular and cellular cognition’John Bickle | pp. 175–188
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9. Affect as appraisalMeaghan A. Leddy, Gail C. Robertson and Jay Schulkin | pp. 189–202
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10. What should theories of emotion be about?James R. Averill | pp. 203–224
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11. Valence, reductionism, and the ineffable: Philosophical reflections on the Panksepp–Russell debateRonald de Sousa | pp. 225–242
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12. Functional and empirical presuppositions in Russell and Panksepp: Neural predispositions of affectGeorg Northoff | pp. 243–256
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13. Comparison of affect program theories, appraisal theories, and psychological construction theoriesAgnes Moors | pp. 257–278
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14. Final remarksJames A. Russell | pp. 279–300
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15. My reflections on commentaries and concluding perspectivesJaak Panksepp | pp. 301–320
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16. Concluding observations: Comparisons, contrasts, and some important convergencesRalph D. Ellis and Bill Faw | pp. 321–346
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Index | pp. 347–350
“Zachar and Ellis have produced a valuable tome aimed at dissecting and contrasting the positions of Jaak Panksepp and James Russell on the matter of affect. Several differences are identified, mostly having to do with the different perspectives of the two target thinkers, but several areas of agreement emerge as well. The differences are illuminating and so the journey turns out to be rewarding for anyone interested in the nature and organization of affective processes.”
Antonio Damasio, Director of Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California
“
Categorical versus Dimensional Models of Affect makes important contributions to the thorny question “What are emotions?” By exploring two extremes in the debate, it helps illuminate the essence of emotion in the broader sense.””
Joseph LeDoux, New York University , author of The Emotional Brain.
Cited by (8)
Cited by eight other publications
Pereira, Patrícia, Helena Moniz & Joao Paulo Carvalho
Grollero, Demetrio, Valentina Petrolini, Marco Viola, Rosalba Morese, Giada Lettieri & Luca Cecchetti
Miller, Gregory A.
Adair, Heather V.
Montag, Christian & Jaak Panksepp
Russell, James A.
Panksepp, Jaak
2015. The neuroevolutionary sources of mind. In The Constitution of Phenomenal Consciousness [Advances in Consciousness Research, 92], ► pp. 226 ff. 
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Subjects
Main BIC Subject
JMQ: Psychology: emotions
Main BISAC Subject
PSY008000: PSYCHOLOGY / Cognitive Psychology & Cognition