The affect theory of emotions is a psychoanalytic theory originated by Silvan S. Tomkins (1911 -- 1991). Tomkins' theory provided an alternative to the dominant psychological paradigms of Freudian drive-psychology and B.F. Skinner's behaviorism by claiming that affective states are the primary motivators of human experience.
Theory
In psychology, an affect is the subjective experience of a feeling or an emotion. In affect theory, affects are hard-wired biological features of the mind and can be organized into categories identifiable by the expressions they produce.
Types
Tomkins' affect theory posits three main categories of affects: positive, neutral and negative. Positive affects are joy, enjoyment, interest and excitement, which manifest themselves in expressions such as smiling. The only neutral affect identified by Tomkin was surprise. Negative affects include anger, rage, disgust, distress, terror and humiliation.
Function
The affect theory of emotions stresses the maximization of positive affects and the minimization of negative affects as a means of attaining mental health.
History
Silvan S. Tomkins published the first two volumes of "Affect Imagery Consciousness" in 1962 and 1963, which articulated his affect theory of emotions. Since then, other notable intellectuals such as Eve Sedgwick and Donald Nathanson have been influenced by Tomkin's theories. Tomkin published the last volume of "Affect Imagery Consciousness" just prior to his death in 1991.
Potential
The affect theory of emotion is sometimes criticized for having little value for practical or clinical application in the field of psychotherapy. However, it is partially credited with helping to displace the dominance of behaviorism and Freudian psychology in the later half of the 20th century, and has been utilized by theorists in fields such as queer theory and feminist theory.
Tags: affect theory, affect theory emotions, Affect Imagery, Affect Imagery Consciousness, Imagery Consciousness, Silvan Tomkins