Visualising Emotions: Measuring motivations simply, quickly and intuitively
Measuring human motivations and emotions is difficult. Three reasons for this are that
- Verbal questions tend to rationalize responses
- Emotional language terms can be very difficult to translate
- Different cultures have different values
More broadly, emotions are highly contextual and latest theories of emotion, see them as mental constructions in the same way that perceptions are mental constructions based on external cues. Emotions and perceptions are both processed in the same parts of the brain and help us to interpret and adapt to the environment around us, directing us towards our goals (see Lisa Feldman Barrett’s book for more on this). Read more »