Broadening the Scope of Affect Detection Research

I propose to broaden the scope of affect detection research in three related directions. First, the task definition should be broadened from the detection of affects to the inference of mental states. Second, the detection process should be reconceptualized as an inference to the best explanation that makes essential use of a theory of mind. Third, additional data sources should be utilized to infer emotions: information about the situation (eliciting events), information about emotion-related goal-directed actions, and self-reports about emotions.