The hidden work of symbolic resources in emotions

Carol Magai and Jeannette Haviland-Jones have written a patient, systematic book about emotions and their role in development throughout the lifespan. Addressing difficult questions—emotions in personality, interaction, thinking and change—they also take the risk of qualitative, person-centred case studies, analysing the life and work of Carl Rogers, Robert Ellis and Fritz Perls. I will first summarize their work and highlight some of their contributions. I will then pick on a few difficulties. This will finally lead me to propose an additional perspective on the data gathered by the authors.