Not Facial Expression, nor Fingerprint – Acknowledging Complexity and Context in Emotion Research for Human-Centered Personalization and Adaptation

Abstract

While research on emotion has emerged as a crucial area in studying this relationship, the use of classical psychological concepts in human emotion detection and sentiment analysis has been challenged by the cognitive sciences and psychology. This paper argues that the uncritical adoption of concepts that overlook the complexity and context of emotions may hinder progress in this field. To overcome this limitation, the theory of constructed emotion is reviewed, which suggests that emotions are not distinct categories but rather dimensions that require dynamic, rather than static, contextualized models. By prioritizing digital wellbeing in emotion studies and acknowledging complexity and context, future research can develop more effective models for emotion detection and sentiment analysis. The aim is to provide valuable insights for researchers seeking to advance our understanding of the relationship between technology and wellbeing for human centered-adaptation and personalization.