In this article I propose a relational understanding of emotions which
I believe overcomes many of the dualisms in previous sociological att
empts to understand this realm of social life. I also suggest that it
is rare in such studies for the object under scrutiny to be defined, a
nd attempt to answer the question of what it is we are exploring when
we approach emotions. The view is put forward of emotions as complexes
rather than things, ones that are multi-dimensional in their composit
ion: they only arise within relationships, but they have a corporeal,
embodied aspect as well as a socio-cultural one. They are constituted
by techniques of the body learned within a social habitus, which produ
ces emotional dispositions that may manifest themselves in particular
situations. Furthermore, these techniques of the body are part of the
power relations that play an important part in the production and regu
lation of emotion. Using examples of emotions like love and aggression
, I argue my central thesis - that emotions are not expressions of inn
er processes, but are modes of communication within relationships and
interdependencies.