The representation of emotions in groups : the relative impact of social norms, positive-negative asymmetry and familiarity on the perception of emotions.

Research in several countries shows that people hold norms of emotion perception, so that socially desirable emotions are perceived as positive and moderate. Subjects also believe that positive and moderate emotions are dominant in their lives. Other research shows that increased familiarity with a social group allows a better differentiation among the members and the attributes of this group. In the present study, the relative impact of familiarity with pleasant and unpleasant groups and social norms on emotion perception is compared. (A)