Emotion & Culture

We previously examined some research studies demonstrating the significance of Asian American racial and ethnic identity in buffering the negative effects of racial discrimination to promote well-being. However, the existing research neglects to analyze the emotional responses of Asian Americans. Emotions are a significant aspect of psychological well-being. Emotions also have a great impact on students' experiences in school. Studying emotion within a cultural framework is paramount, as emotion regulation is specific to cultural identity. 

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We will take a focused look at some of the existing research on emotion and culture. Before reading on, watch the following clip from The Joy Luck Club film, based on Amy Tan's novel. Reflect on how the differences in cultural values between Waverly's Chinese family and her American fiance' result in different emotional reactions and interpretations from the evening.