metaaffective

Metaaffective is a term used in affective science and philosophy to denote higher-order affective processes—emotions about emotions. It describes mental states and processes concerned with one's own affective experiences at a level beyond the immediate emotion being felt. The term can cover awareness of affect (emotional meta-awareness), appraisal of the intensity or quality of an emotion, and regulation or evaluation of one's emotional responses. In contrast to base affect, metaaffect refers to reflective or evaluative aspects of emotion rather than the emotion proper itself.

Usage and scope: In practice, authors may use metaaffect to describe meta-emotional knowledge (what one knows about their own feelings), metacognitive judgments about affect, or affective meta-regulation (strategies to manage emotions). The term is not yet standardized, and writers may use it interchangeably with meta-emotion or affective metacognition, depending on context.

Examples and applications: A person who feels embarrassed about feeling sad and considers whether the sadness is proportionate exhibits metaaffect. In clinical or research settings, metaaffect can be discussed in relation to emotional awareness, regulation strategies, or the processing of emotions in diagnostic frameworks.

Relationship to related concepts: Metaaffect is related to meta-emotion, metacognition, and emotion regulation, and is discussed in contexts ranging from philosophy of mind to affective neuroscience. As an emerging or niche term, its precise meaning and usage vary across fields and authors.