Universal Emotions: An Examination

Emotions: A Common Experience Across Cultures?

In a groundbreaking study led by Professor Sophie Scott from University College London, researchers investigated the universality of basic emotions across different cultures. The study, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, compared people from Britain and Namibia, specifically the Himba, a group of over 20,000 people living in small settlements in northern Namibia.

Dr. Disa Sauter, a researcher involved in the study, delved into the recognition of emotions through vocal sounds. Participants from both groups listened to a short story based around a particular emotion and were asked to identify which of two sounds reflected the emotion being expressed in the story.

The findings suggest that basic emotions such as amusement, anger, fear, and sadness are shared by all humans. Interestingly, laughter, specifically the sound of laughter, is universally recognized by both the British and Himba participants as signifying amusement, similar to the feeling of being tickled. This supports the idea that laughter is universally associated with being tickled and reflects the feeling of enjoyment of physical play.

However, not all positive sounds were easily recognizable to both cultures. Some sounds, such as the sound of pleasure or achievement, appear not to be shared across cultures but are instead specific to a particular group or region. This suggests that some positive emotions may have cultural specificity.

Smiling is universally recognized as a signal of happiness, raising the possibility that laughter is the auditory equivalent of smiles, both communicating a state of enjoyment. However, Professor Scott explains that laughter and smiles may be different types of signals. Smiles function as a signal of generally positive social intent, whereas laughter may be a more specific emotional signal, originating in play.

The research findings suggest that laughter, as an auditory signal, plays a significant role in human communication, particularly in conveying feelings of amusement and enjoyment. However, it may not be desirable to share such signals with individuals who are not members of one's own cultural group, as the study indicates that some positive sounds may have cultural specificity.

The study adds to our understanding of the universality of basic emotions and emphasizes the importance of non-verbal communication in human interaction. We all share other attributes, such as having complex systems of communication to convey our thoughts, feelings, and the intentions of those around us. Despite our diverse cultural backgrounds, it seems that at a fundamental level, we are more similar than we are different.