Conclusion

Abstract

This book was designed to introduce readers to the concept of emotion and to encourage them to interact with emotion as a means of learning about it. Some approaches to emotion focus rather narrowly on a few key factors such as the contributions of evolutionary theory, the involvement of the brain, and the cognitive models. Readers often have questions about the relationship of emotion to areas such as psychopathology and romantic love, which are not addressed when a narrow approach is taken. This book aimed to introduce readers to a wide number of emotion-related topics. To achieve this aim, it took the concept of emotion, introduced its historical background and defined it (Chap. 2), and then went on a long purposeful walk around the block (or around the clock) tying in various ideas, thoughts, and theories to emotion. This approach is illustrated in Fig. 15.1, with Emotion and Evolution (Chap. 3) appearing at the 12 o’clock position, and successive chapters following it. The final content chapter (Emotion and Romantic Love, Chap. 14) appears at the 11 o’clock position.