color photo headshot of Professor Batja Mesquita in front of a large bookshelf
Luminaries

Professor Batja Mesquita on Culture’s Role in Shaping Emotions and Accounting for Them in Research

Zoë Billington speaks with Professor Batja Mesquita, a pioneer of cultural psychology, about how culture shapes emotion, and how emotions act as powerful tools in relationships. After reading, you may be compelled to rethink if, when, and how to ask participants the very important question, “how did you feel about that?” …and even add on “and what did you do about that?” and “and how did you respond to how that made you feel?” […]

Book Reviews

Between Us: How Cultures Create Emotions by Batja Mesquita, W.W. Norton, 2022

Susan Fader reviews Between Us, a book from Batja Mesquita (a pioneer of cultural psychology), which dissects the way culture shapes our emotional world. Using MINE and OURS models of emotion, the author effectively challenges the belief that emotional cues, socially accepted reactions, and empathy are universal across societies. A must-read for researchers seeking to understand the cultural perspectives surrounding our work. […]