Emotional Vigilance

Abstract

Abstract Although emotional displays have long been considered mere read-outs of the affective state of agents, recent studies and modern evolutionary thinking instead suggest that they should be characterized as proper communicative signals. This implies that emotional displays have evolved to be used strategically, to serve the senders’ interests. However, for these signals to be stable, they must also benefit receivers. What guarantees that emotional signals are beneficial for both emitters and observers? In this chapter, the authors review evidence showing that humans are equipped with mechanisms that evolved to evaluate emotional displays and their sources, so as to minimize the risk of being fooled. They term these mechanisms “emotional vigilance,” following the “epistemic vigilance” mechanisms used in ostensive communication. Emotional vigilance, the authors argue, is part of the human cognitive makeup, and they outline empirical avenues to best elucidate its features.