The Emotionalization of Reflexivity

• Published in: Sociology (Oxford) Vol. 44; no. 1; pp. 139 - 154
• Main Author: Holmes, Mary
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2010; Sage Publications; Cambridge University Press
• Subjects: Emotion; Emotion theories; Emotional expression; Emotional intelligence; Emotional states; Emotionality; Emotions; Human relations; Interactionism; Interpersonal relations; Knowledge; Personality. Social role; Reflexes; Reflexivity; Routine; Self-evaluation; Social interaction; Social psychology; Social reflexivity; Social theory; Sociology; Studies; Subjectivity; Symbolic interaction; detraditionalization; emotions; reflexivity; routine action; symbolic interaction; Self Concept; Rationality; Theory; Subjectivity; Emotions
• ISSN: 0038-0385; 1469-8684
• DOI: 10.1177/0038038509351616

Reflexivity refers to the practices of altering one's life as a response to knowledge about one's circumstances. While theories of reflexivity have not entirely ignored emotions, attention to them has been insufficient These theories need emotionalizing and this article proposes that emotions have become central to a subjectivity and sociality that is relationally constructed. The emotionalization of reflexivity not only refers to a theoretical endeavour but is a phrase used to begin to explore whether individuals are increasingly drawing on emotions in assessing themselves and their lives. It is argued that dislocation from tradition produces a reflexivity that can be very dependent on comparing experiences and can move others to reflect and reorder their own relations to self and others. Thus, emotions are crucial to how the social is reproduced and to enduring within a complex social world.