emotions across cultures

Emotions are universal experiences, but how they are expressed, interpreted, and valued can vary across cultures. Some cultures encourage open displays of emotions, while others promote restraint. For example, expressing sadness or anger openly may be accepted in one society but considered inappropriate in another. Cultural norms shape understanding of emotional cues and appropriate responses, influencing interpersonal interactions and social harmony. Despite these differences, the basic feelings—happiness, fear, anger, sadness—are common to all humans, acting as a shared foundation of emotional life across diverse cultural contexts.