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Norms for Experiencing Emotions

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Abstract

Norms for experiencing emotions were analyzed for 1,056 participants from five African nations (Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) in a cross-cultural study. Results showed much within-nation as well as between-nation variability in norms. Multigroup latent class analysis showed that the more collectivistic African nations found guilt more desirable and pride less desirable than the less collectivistic African nations. Many of the classes found in the African nations resembled classes found in other cultures, providing evidence for the universality of some norms; culture-specific norms for emotions were also found. Contrary to expectations regarding norms for emotions in collectivistic cultures, Africa-specific norms for emotions included a large class of people who found all negative emotions undesirable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 603 East Daniel Street , IL, 61820, Champaign, USA

    Chu Kim-prieto & Michael Eid

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  1. Chu Kim-prieto
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  2. Michael Eid
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Kim-prieto, C., Eid, M. Norms for Experiencing Emotions. Journal of Happiness Studies 5, 241–268 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-004-8787-2

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