The FEI (Felt, Expressed, and Identified Emotions) Three-Dimensional Analytical Model: A Methodological Proposal for the Sociology of Emotions

The present article introduces the Analytical Three-Dimensional Model FEI (Felt, Expressed, and Identified Emotions) as a conceptual and methodological instrument for the study of emotions from a sociological perspective. In contrast to approaches that have considered emotions as universal reactions or physiological responses, the model is based on a social and contextual conception, inspired by recent contributions from social neuroscience and a rich sociological tradition that has interpreted emotions as symbolic practices, normatively regulated. The FEI model posits the distinction between felt, expressed, and identified emotions, with the objective of facilitating more precise access to affective processes within social contexts. Each dimension is associated with varying degrees of reflexivity, intentionality, and modes of empirical access. These dimensions are accompanied by critical reflection on interpretative risks and appropriate methodological protocols for their analysis. This organization facilitates observation by recognizing the hermeneutical burden and analytical responsibility of the researcher. In essence, it is a three-dimensional framework designed to provide sociology with a robust tool for the study of emotions as experiences shaped by context, regulated by social norms, and expressed, felt and identified in concrete situations of interaction.