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The role of affect in feelings of obligation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 April 2020

Stefen Beeler-Duden ,
Meltem Yucel Open the ORCID record for Meltem Yucel [Opens in a new window]  and
Amrisha Vaish Open the ORCID record for Amrisha Vaish [Opens in a new window]
Stefen Beeler-Duden
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22903. [email protected]://pages.shanti.virginia.edu/Social_Development_Lab_3/[email protected]://pages.shanti.virginia.edu/Social_Development_Lab_3/
Meltem Yucel*
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22903. [email protected]://pages.shanti.virginia.edu/Social_Development_Lab_3/[email protected]://pages.shanti.virginia.edu/Social_Development_Lab_3/
Amrisha Vaish
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22903. [email protected]://pages.shanti.virginia.edu/Social_Development_Lab_3/[email protected]://pages.shanti.virginia.edu/Social_Development_Lab_3/
*
(corresponding author) [email protected]www.meltemyucel.com
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Abstract

Tomasello offers a compelling account of the emergence of humans’ sense of obligation. We suggest that more needs to be said about the role of affect in the creation of obligations. We also argue that positive emotions such as gratitude evolved to encourage individuals to fulfill cooperative obligations without the negative quality that Tomasello proposes is inherent in obligations.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 43 , 2020 , e60
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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