Scientific studies of emotional expression most strongly support which perspective on emotions?

• A. The universality perspective, which suggests that basic emotional expressions are recognized across cultures
• B. The cultural relativism perspective, which argues that emotional expressions are entirely shaped by cultural norms
• C. The behaviorist perspective, which claims emotions are learned solely through conditioning
• D. The psychoanalytic perspective, which focuses on unconscious motives as the primary source of emotional expression

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key perspectives on emotions mentioned in the problem: universality perspective, cultural relativism perspective, behaviorist perspective, and psychoanalytic perspective.
2. Step 2: Review the universality perspective, which proposes that basic emotional expressions (such as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust) are biologically hardwired and recognized universally across different cultures.
3. Step 3: Examine the cultural relativism perspective, which argues that emotional expressions are learned behaviors shaped entirely by cultural norms and therefore vary significantly between cultures.
4. Step 4: Consider the behaviorist perspective, which emphasizes that emotions and their expressions are learned through conditioning and reinforcement, focusing on observable behaviors rather than innate biological factors.
5. Step 5: Reflect on the psychoanalytic perspective, which centers on unconscious motives and internal conflicts as the primary drivers of emotional expression, rather than universal or learned patterns.