Understanding Emotions

There is nothing like this book on the market. It goes deeper into the problems than any introductory book on emotion that I know, lacking the superficiality of most such texts. The discussions, although accessible, are of intellectual standing. The book is full of theoretical ideas of elaboration that I find very challenging. In addition, it is highly enjoyable in its examples, interesting, very well written, up-to-date, and informative. The organization is admirable, placing culture first and only then going into the more basic processes. Professor Nico Frijda, University of Amsterdam

In my view, this particular text is quite distinctive in terms of its breadth. It draws upon and integrates material on emotions from social and clinical psychology, from psychiatry, from sociology, from anthropology and from literature. It addresses important issues regarding emotions from many more theoretical perspectives than has been typical in most recent books on emotions. It includes historical material as well as very up-to-date work on emotions and it addresses both theoretical and applied issues. Margaret S. Clark, Carnegie Mellon University

Oatley and Jenkins's book is an excellent text that is well written, interesting, and accessible while maintaining intellectual rigor. It is comprehensive in its coverage and considers the historical roots of emotion research as well as the most recent research. Contemporary Psychology

At each turn, the authors have gone to great lengths to make this book accessible, from their clear and compelling writing, to the large number of figures, tables, insets with biographical information about key figures, summary sections, and helpful suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter. Studies are thoughtfully selected and carefully presented in enough detail that a student can clearly see how a question was framed and answered. Connections between studies are drawn within each chapter, and pains also have been taken to make connections across chapters as well. Understanding Emotions is a truly first-rate introductory treatment of this important area, and promises to be of great use to students, teachers, and researchers in the many fields now connected with better understanding emotions. James Gross, Stanford University

Jennifer Jenkins is Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, and is a well-known researcher in the field of developmental psychopathology.