We all experience emotions through our body. Shame or guilt and our faces flush; anger and our limbs jerk; happiness and every part of us comes alive. While I was on the hunt for something completely different, I came upon something else. (And therein I've described the journey of every creator.)
A few years ago, a group of Finnish scientists came up with a body map of 14 emotions based on their research with 700 candidates from Finland, Sweden and Taiwan. Each candidate was given an emotion and asked to identify the parts of the body where they experienced it.
Here is the link to the article
Nothing too surprising, but I found it interesting that anger is one of the few emotions experienced in the arms. Proof: Watch Italians discuss politics or sports or--wait, as I write this, a construction worker outside my living room window is gesticulating at some boneheaded move of his coworker. I rest the Finnish case.
But then happiness and love is also experienced in the arms. Actually happiness is experienced all over. Love too, except for the lower extremities which goes against what's happening in my current work-in-progress where a pedicure does the trick. Or is there a little redness in the feet in the 'Love' silhouette? I'm going with 'yes'.
Look how the hands for 'Fear' and 'Disgust' are on fire. I understand that when we're afraid we might grab for a weapon or hold up our hands in defense but what is going on with 'disgust'? Do we want to push the repugnant object out of our way?
I could see how annoyance would show in the hands. My daughter curls her hands into claws and shakes them, when the dice doesn't roll her way. And her arms! You have to duck sometimes when she gets going.
The writer in me finds all of this fascinating. Have you noticed other connections? Are there 'tells' among your loved ones that give away exactly what they're thinking?
This cover arrived in July. Hit like an ice pack to my heated brain.
Releasing September...
And see you again early September when I'll run an excerpt...
Until then,
I'll be at M. K. Stelmack Website
and Facebook
A few years ago, a group of Finnish scientists came up with a body map of 14 emotions based on their research with 700 candidates from Finland, Sweden and Taiwan. Each candidate was given an emotion and asked to identify the parts of the body where they experienced it.
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| Image courtesy of Lauri Nummenmaa, Enrico Glerean, Riitta Hari, and Jari Hietanen. |
Nothing too surprising, but I found it interesting that anger is one of the few emotions experienced in the arms. Proof: Watch Italians discuss politics or sports or--wait, as I write this, a construction worker outside my living room window is gesticulating at some boneheaded move of his coworker. I rest the Finnish case.
But then happiness and love is also experienced in the arms. Actually happiness is experienced all over. Love too, except for the lower extremities which goes against what's happening in my current work-in-progress where a pedicure does the trick. Or is there a little redness in the feet in the 'Love' silhouette? I'm going with 'yes'.
Look how the hands for 'Fear' and 'Disgust' are on fire. I understand that when we're afraid we might grab for a weapon or hold up our hands in defense but what is going on with 'disgust'? Do we want to push the repugnant object out of our way?
I could see how annoyance would show in the hands. My daughter curls her hands into claws and shakes them, when the dice doesn't roll her way. And her arms! You have to duck sometimes when she gets going.
The writer in me finds all of this fascinating. Have you noticed other connections? Are there 'tells' among your loved ones that give away exactly what they're thinking?
This cover arrived in July. Hit like an ice pack to my heated brain.
Releasing September...
Until then,
I'll be at M. K. Stelmack Website
and Facebook
Those graphics are very interesting. The 'envy' one focuses mainly on the head...which makes sense I think, given envy has a lot to do with ego. Same for pride, tho it seems to include the heart. I do see body language like tics in some family members around emotions. One of my daughters used to shake her hands when she felt anxious...a tic that lasted through her pre-teens and early teens, a time of great anxiety for a lot of us. In an upcoming release I gave my hero an anxiety tic. And I imagine that cover gave you a warm fuzzy sensation all over, M.K. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I see what you mean about envy. Our brain tells us that we want what someone else has, while our body really doesn't want that designer purse. You have a daughter with expressive hands, I see!
DeleteThat's so interesting! I think having a child has really shown this to me. When he was young used to be able to feel if he was worn out just by holding his hand. It was really helpful. It gave me a clue so I could leave somewhere before he was exhausted and melting down. That is a lovely cover, MK! We are September book release buddies!
ReplyDeleteHello, September buddy! So much happens in the hand, and probably with your son, in the joints. The anxiety silhouette is me to a 'T'.
DeleteI love this blog post! I've never thought about how people feel different emotions in different parts of the body. I love watching tennis, and I definitely see some of the body emotions expressed in matches. And to echo Claire, I, too, think my experiences as a parent have shown many of these aspects to me. Thanks for this post. I added it to my bookmarks page so I can reread the section on body language and where the different feelings manifest themselves in different parts of the body. It's a happy thought that love encompasses the entire body. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Tanya! I bookmarked the article, too. It'll be a useful reference for writing, and a check-in for my emotions. Sports is a great opportunity to watch body language. Athletes and fans don't hold back.
DeleteNice cover! I've always thought is was easier to read a child's emotions in body language than in adults, because they haven't learned to conceal their feelings.
ReplyDeleteI work in the school system, and yes, they are an open book.
DeleteA fascinating chart. I notice fear, disgust, and anxiety all involve "the pit of your stomach" but so do love and happiness--those butterflies in the stomach I'd guess. My son would flap his hands when he was overwhelmed, too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThere's so much research coming out about the gut-brain connection, and its link to emotions. I still flap my hands!
DeleteOh, and beautiful cover! Christmas is coming early this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And yes, really early.
DeleteThat's so interesting--I guess the business about hands and frustration and anger is visible virtually all the time. But it's not the same as talking with our hands as many of us do--in a pleasant way. During a particularly stressful time in my life I recall suddenly being conscious that I'd been walking several blocks with my free hand balled in a very tight fist. I still remember that realization and consciously breathing and uncurling my fingers to release the stress. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteVery telling story, Virginia. I ball my fists also when I'm deep thinking. Resting my cheek on hand, Le Penseur-like. Maybe fists are related to powerful thought currents. (I'm assuming here that my thoughts are actually deep.)
DeleteSo interesting! I'm going to hop over and read the article now. And I love your cover!!
ReplyDeleteThere have been a number of studies a out how you can think yourself well. Just shows the brain that reaches out to all those body parts can do amazing things properly channeled. I just started studying yoga and it has interesting information about releasing the anger and tension from different areas of the body. Very interesting post.
ReplyDeleteI'd never seen this before. It's really interesting! Can't wait for your September release.
ReplyDeleteOoh, so fascinating! I feel emotions like anger or frustration in my jaw and molars. My jaw locks right up when what I usually want to do is tell someone off. (Though I can whip up some great zingers in the bathroom mirror after the moment has passed and I've calmed down, lol). I find the comparison of happiness and depression spot on. And I love your book cover for Christmas!
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