A Reflection on Conceptions and Theories of Emotion across Three Disciplines: Psychology, Political Psychology and Political Science

The study of emotion spans multiple disciplines, including psychology, political psychology, and political science, each offering unique insights into this complex aspect of human nature. However, the segmentation of research into distinct disciplinary silos often results in a narrow focus, limiting the potential for comprehensive understanding. This fragmentation is particularly evident in the study of emotion, where researchers frequently operate within isolated theoretical frameworks, rarely engaging with alternative perspectives. Recent studies have highlighted the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to bridge these gaps and foster a more holistic understanding of emotion. Despite the existence of various theories and approaches, such as the valence approach, appraisal theories, the theory of affective intelligence, and emotion regulation, there remains a lack of consensus on a unified theory of emotion. This ongoing debate underscores the necessity for a more integrated approach that transcends disciplinary boundaries and encourages dialogue among researchers from different fields.

This research topic aims to foster a collaborative exploration of emotion across psychology, political psychology, and political science, with the goal of advancing towards a more comprehensive theory of emotion. By facilitating direct engagement between authors from these disciplines, the project seeks to address the limitations of current theoretical approaches and promote a deeper understanding of emotion. The initiative is anchored by a target article by Prof. George Marcus, which evaluates the status of emotion theories in political science and psychology against seven criteria. The objective is to stimulate discussion and critique, ultimately driving research to address existing deficiencies and enhance the theoretical landscape.

To gather further insights in the interdisciplinary study of emotion, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Comparative analysis of emotion theories across disciplines
• Integration of psychological and political perspectives on emotion
• Evaluation of current emotion taxonomies and definitions
• Development of measurement tools for emotion research
• Examination of preconscious and parallel affective processing
• Testing of causal claims related to emotion as both antecedent and consequence
• Critiques and expansions of Prof. Marcus' criteria for emotion theories