RESUMO

Affective experiences can fluctuate, be combined, and fused, resulting in various phenomena labeled as being emotionally complex. Despite the lack of a common theoretical framework, several phenomena including mixed emotions, emodiversity, meta-emotions, awe, among several others, have been defined as being emotionally complex. In this conceptual analysis, I aim to integrate the diversity of emotional complexity by describing various phenomena associated with this construct. This integration offers a more comprehensive panorama of the current usage of the concept of emotional complexity compared to previous attempts to consolidate the field. Furthermore, this conceptual analysis intends to disentangle the emotional fingerprints of emotional complexity. In particular, I present evidence and arguments showing that complex emotions can be characterized as having specific facial expressions, appraisals, and functional significance. Finally, I suggest that it is possible to describe emotional complexity using concepts and properties from the complex systems theory. Concepts such as the hierarchical organization of the affect system and emergent self-organization are used to explain current evidence on emotional complexity. I explain that applying complex systems theory to emotional complexity is not only theoretically convenient, but that complex systems theory also serves to advance new forms to conceptualize the affect system. The current conceptual analysis can help to organize current research and theory in order to encourage new research endeavors in the field of emotional complexity and acknowledge the importance of emotional complexity in models of affect, for which I suggest some specific guidelines.

RESUMO

Um paciente proveniente de vários atendimentos psiquiátricos queixava-se de dores intensas na região lombar que o impediam de trabalhar. No atendimento psicoterápico, o tema protagônico surgiu por meio do símbolo de "uma grande cobra que o envolve, aperta e comprime", o qual resolvemos pesquisar utilizando o conceito de mitologema abordado por Maciel. Essa teoria nos levou a conhecer a dinâmica do paciente e a desvendar seus "complexos afetivos" por meio dos mitos revelados. Pela inversão de papéis, ele pôde trazer seus antigos sentimentos de rejeição, culpa e medo. O acompanhamento das sessões seguiu o enredo mítico apresentado nas entrelinhas da queixa, o que facilitou sua experiência de viver o mito de forma consciente e voluntária.

A patient who came from various psychiatric care complained of intense pain in the lower back that prevented him from working. In the psychotherapeutic care, the nuclear theme appeared through the symbol of "a great snake that surrounds, tightens and compresses", which we decided to research using the concept of mitologema approached by Maciel. This theory led us to get to know the dynamics of the patient and to unveil his "emotional complexity" through the revealed myths. By role reversal, he could bring his former feelings of rejection, guilt, and fear. The follow-up of the sessions tracked the mythical plot between the lines of the complaint, which facilitated his experience of living the myth in a conscious and voluntary way.

Un paciente proveniente de varias atenciones psiquiátricas que se quejaba de dolores intensosen la región lumbar que le impedían trabajar. En la atención psicoterápica, el tema protagónico surgió por medio del símbolo de "una gran serpiente que lo envuelve, aprieta y comprime", lo que resolvimos investigar utilizando el concepto de mitologema abordado por Maciel. Esta teoría nos llevó a conocer la dinámica del paciente y a desentrañar sus "complejos afectivos" a través de los mitos revelados. Por la inversión de papeles, él pudo traer sus antiguos sentimientos de rechazo, culpa y miedo. El acompañamiento de las sesiones siguió el enredo mítico presentado en las entrelíneas de la queja, lo que facilitó su experiencia de vivir el mito de forma consciente y voluntaria.