Methodological approach for the exploration of emotional experience in its different dimensions

Abstract

Emotional experience is a complex and multidimensional construct. This paper proposes a methodological triangulation approach. It is based on Lawton’s Emotional Experience theory, which includes ten dimensions to explore emotions: 1) Affect intensity, 2) Leveling of possitive affect, 3) Sensation seeking, 4) Cognitive control, 5) Emotional maturity through moderation, 6) Affective dissimulation, 7) Psychophysiological responsiveness, 8) Affective variability, 9) Affect duration and  10) Affective speed. Qualitative approach studied daily situations in which Emotional Control, Emotional Simulation, Situation Selection and Sensation seeking are used. These situations were explored by semi-structured interviews designed for this study.Validation process for Mar del Plata population, characteristics of the sample and instruments administration procedure used in this investigation are detailed in this paper. Regarding data analysis, in this study are applied inferential and descriptive statistics techniques and content analysis used in this investigation.