Social functions of emotions at four levels of analysis

In this paper we integrate claims and findings concerning the social functi ons of emotions at the individual, dyadic, group, and cultural levels of an alysis. Across levels of analysis theorists assume that emotions solve prob lems important to social relationships in the context of ongoing interactio ns. Theorists diverge, however, in their assumptions about the origins, def ining characteristics, and consequences of emotions, and in their preferred forms of data. We illustrate the differences and compatibilities among the se levels of analysis for the specific case of embarrassment. We close by s uggesting research strategies that incorporate a social-functional perspect ive.