An Introduction to Interoception
An Introduction to Interoception
This introductory chapter provides an overview of interoceptive awareness. The significance of interoceptive awareness of feelings from the body for human awareness of emotional feelings is a central tenet of so-called embodiment theories of emotion. A major distinguishing feature of emotion theories is whether emphasis is placed on the body or on the mind, reflecting the inherent dualism in Western culture. Embodiment theories of emotion relate emotions to the condition of bodies, and they are remarkably consistent with the pathways in brains that underlie bodily feelings and affective feelings. The embodiment theories of emotion emphasize the role of visceral sensation and autonomic activity in the body and brain as a causal source of emotional feelings. In other words, embodiment theories of emotion posit that feelings are generated by autonomic activity and emotional behaviors.
Keywords: interoceptive awareness, emotional feelings, embodiment theories of emotion, emotion theories, dualism, bodily feelings, affective feelings, visceral sensation, autonomic activity, emotional behaviors
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