Comparing Keltner, Oatley And Jenkins 'Historical Trauma'

The following reading diary consists of comments and critique on 5 articles. It briefly, explains what can be derived from the articles and then gives further critique such as strengths and shortcomings, current debates that relate to emotion research or other insights/wonderings that are raised. An observation that has come from competing these readings is how much overlap there is between topics relating to emotions. For example, the first reading from the text “Understanding Emotions” (Keltner, Oatley, & Jenkins, 2014c) covers the book section on Emotions in Social Relationships. This is followed by a reading titled “Historical Trauma” (Wirihana & Smith, 2014) which is an extension on this theme as it explores group and inter group emotions
They suggest that the social nature of emotions can be thought of in two ways: emotions can structure social relationships; and emotional responses are shaped by the relationships that people are in.
They use a framework of social motivations to explain emotions in relationships. This includes how intimate relationships are shaped by goals of attachment and affiliation lead to desire and love thus creating intimate bonds. They expand on intimate relationships stating how negative emotional behaviours such as criticism and defensiveness can erode intimate relationships (Levenson & Gottman, 1983) while helpful emotional patterns such as sharing what is good in life and play contribute to positive relationships.
Similar goals are central to emotions in friendships which are based on the goal of affiliation. Emotional responses to meet this goal include gratitude, mimicry and offering social support which has been shown to contribute to good friendships and the broader sense of socially
This speaks to me in my role as a specialist classroom teacher with the task of helping other teachers and the need to position myself alongside them as a co-learner (Robertson, 2009) rather than as an expert with all the knowledge.
Overall, this book section provides a succinct introduction to emotions in social relationships covering broad themes. This is a strength of this text, however, as will be shown, further reading of research literature adds depth to this body of knowledge. For example, Emotions in social relationships links to the concept of historical trauma as will be discussed next with regard to the impacts of interactions between indigenous and colonising