ABSTRACT

The concept of affective scaffolding designates the various ways in which we manipulate the environment to influence our affective lives. In this article, I present a constructive critique of recent discussion on affective scaffolding. In Part 1, I summarize how the theories of situated mind and niche construction contribute to a multidimensional notion of scaffolding. In Part 2, I focus specifically on affective scaffolding and argue that current ambiguity over its distinctive criteria causes uncertainty as to how the concept can and should be used. In Part 3, I identify and examine two possible responses to the suggested state of conceptual ambiguity. The first, restrictive option is to keep pushing for more definite criteria. The second, permissive option is to embrace and work with a broad understanding of affective scaffolding. I argue that the latter choice is more pragmatic and productive. To conclude, I summarize where my examination leaves us in regard to ongoing theoretical work on affective scaffolding.

摘要

情感支架的概念指定了我们操纵环境以影响情感生活的各种方式。在本文中，我提出了有关情感支架的最新讨论的建设性评论。在第1部分中，我总结了情境思维和利基构建的理论如何对脚手架的多维概念做出贡献。在第2部分中，我将重点专门放在情感支架上，并指出当前对其特有标准的含糊不清导致不确定如何以及应该使用该概念。在第3部分中，我确定并研究了对概念模糊性建议状态的两种可能的响应。第一个限制性选择是继续推动更明确的标准。第二种允许的选择是拥抱并在对情感支架的广泛理解下工作。我认为，后一种选择更加务实和富有成效。总而言之，我总结了我正在进行的有关情感支架的理论研究的结论。