Descriptive and Prescriptive Definitions of Emotion

摘要

Izard (2010) did not seek a descriptive definition of emotion—one thatdescribes the concept as it is used by ordinary folk. Instead, he surveyed scientists’ prescriptive definitions—ones that prescribe how the concept should be used in theories of emotion. That survey showed a lack of agreement today and thus raised doubts about emotion as a useful scientific concept.