Affective Dissimulation

Abstract

The Affective Dissimulation is a form of control over behavioral manifestations of affection - the facial expressions, voice and gestures. We conducted a content analysis of the narratives of scenarios where the expression of emotional experiences were inhibited. The following categories were created: 1) The attributes of emotions, which includes simulation narratives that focus on different aspects of emotional experience; 2) Contexts, including narratives that refer to the influence of the enviroment (formal or family) in the simulation of emotions, and 3) Reasons, wich refers to the motives to simulate emotional expression. We conclude that older adults exhibit a more flexible simulation behavior, focused on the care of intimate relationships, giving less importance to the opinion and expectations of others, central to young adults.