Title: Deep acting and bad faith: a Sartrean treatment of emotion work

Authors: Ian Ashman

Addresses: Department of Strategy and Innovation, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK

Abstract: This paper explores emotion work from a Sartrean perspective. It argues that a Sartrean explanation of emotions may offer a novel approach to analysing emotions at work by countering the deterministic and somewhat negative emphasis that pervades the mainstream. The efficacy of Hochschild|s distinction between deep and surface acting is questioned with particular attention being paid to its links with authenticity. Sartre|s concept of bad faith is introduced as a means of highlighting the limitations of the distinction and a way of influencing future research. Conclusions are drawn as to how a Sartrean perspective may influence important emotion work themes.

Keywords: authenticity; bad faith; deep acting; emotions; existentialism; Sartre; surface acting; emotion work.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWOE.2008.019427

International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 2008 Vol.2 No.3, pp.288 - 304

Published online: 11 Jul 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article