Emotion Communication by the Aging Face and Body: A Multidisciplinary View

The quality of human relations depends on the quality of emotion communication, which is a significant part of our daily interactions. Emotion expressions serve not only to communicate how the expresser feels but also to communicate intentions and personality traits that influence our decisions regarding whether and how to interact with a person. Emotion Communication by the Aging Face and Body delineates how aging affects emotion communication and person perception by bringing together research across multiple disciplines. Scholars and graduate students in the psychology of aging, affective science, and social gerontology will benefit from this over-view and theoretical framework.

Format: Hardback
Length: 354 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

As our society continues to evolve and age, the dynamics between different generations become increasingly significant. The quality of our human connections hinges on the ability to effectively communicate emotions, which is a fundamental aspect of our daily interactions. Emotion expressions serve multiple purposes, not only conveying how we feel but also revealing our intentions, such as whether we seek to approach or retreat from a situation, as well as our personality traits, including dominance, trustworthiness, or friendliness, which shape our decision-making processes regarding interpersonal interactions.

Emotion Communication by the Aging Face and Body is a comprehensive book that delves into the intricate interplay between aging and emotion communication. By bringing together research from various disciplines, including psychology of aging, affective science, and social gerontology, this book offers a comprehensive overview and theoretical framework that will be valuable to scholars and graduate students in these fields.

Aging brings about numerous changes to the face and body, which in turn impact emotion communication. These changes can manifest in various ways, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and changes in facial expression. These physical alterations can influence how others perceive us and may affect our ability to convey emotions effectively.

The book explores the various factors that contribute to changes in emotion communication during aging, including biological, psychological, and social factors. It examines how these changes affect our perception of emotions and how they influence our interactions with others. For example, older individuals may exhibit reduced facial expressiveness, which can make it challenging for others to read their emotions. However, the book also highlights strategies that individuals can use to enhance their emotional communication, such as using nonverbal cues, maintaining eye contact, and using expressive language.

In addition to exploring the impact of aging on emotion communication, the book also examines the role of social factors in shaping our emotional experiences. It explores how social norms, expectations, and stereotypes about aging affect our emotional well-being and how we communicate our emotions to others. The book also discusses the importance of social support and intergenerational relationships in promoting emotional health and well-being among older individuals.

Overall, Emotion Communication by the Aging Face and Body is a valuable resource for scholars and graduate students interested in the psychology of aging, affective science, and social gerontology. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current research in this field and offers practical insights and strategies for promoting effective emotion communication among older individuals. As our society continues to age, understanding the dynamics between generations and the importance of effective emotion communication will become increasingly crucial in building healthy and resilient communities.

ISBN-13: 9781009209632