Felt emotions, and verbally communicated emotions: the case of pride

Abstract

Potential discrepancies between felt and verbally communicated emotions elicited by two Pride events ( 'selected for a job among a large group' and 'being congratulated for one's own new partner') were studied by means of a structured questionnaire. Italian male (n=88) and female (n=107) university students attributed felt and communicated emotions to the event protagonist P, choosing from a list of 14 emotions ; the communication occurred with P's partner or friend, or with an acquaintance. Statistical analyses of subjects' attributions confirmed the hypothesis that felt emotions are regulated in verbal communication to others : pride, triumph, self-satisfaction and excitement were de-emphasized in communication ; joy, satisfaction, happiness and surprise were intensified ; other emotions were communicated as felt. Event type, and to a lesser extent sex of subject, significantly influenced the direction and extent of regulation. The results are interpreted as showing that the verbal communication of emotion is influenced by emotion-related social norms and beliefs.