Susana Bloch

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Papers

Total Citations

145

H-Index

About

Susana Bloch is a pioneering figure in the psychophysiology of emotion, best known for her groundbreaking work on the Alba Emoting method. Her research centers on the intricate relationship between emotional states and specific, observable physiological patterns—particularly respiration. In her most-cited study, "Specific respiratory patterns distinguish among human basic emotions" (1991, 145 citations), Bloch demonstrated that distinct emotions like joy, sadness, anger, and fear each elicit unique, reproducible respiratory rhythms. This seminal work provided a critical empirical foundation for understanding how the body, not just the mind, encodes emotional experience. Bloch’s major contribution is the development of Alba Emoting, a scientifically grounded technique that uses controlled breathing, posture, and facial expressions to induce and regulate emotional states. This method has had a profound impact on actor training, therapy, and emotional regulation research. Her findings, which bridge neuroscience, psychology, and performing arts, continue to influence studies on embodied cognition and psychosomatic health. Bloch’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of integrating rigorous physiological measurement with the nuanced art of human emotion.