The East Asian Emotional Economy Model (EAEEM): A Cultural-Psychological Framework of Moralised Emotion

This working paper corresponds to the manuscript titled “The East Asian Emotional Economy Model (EAEEM): How Confucian–Buddhist Scripts Convert Love into Obligation and Filiality.” It introduces the East Asian Emotional Economy Model (EAEEM), a theoretical framework that interprets East Asian emotional life through the lens of moral economy. Drawing on Confucian–Buddhist ethics and modern cultural psychology, the model conceptualises emotions as moralised economic behaviours that transform love (Ai) and obligation (En) into measurable affective transactions. The paper further outlines two analytical sub-models: Emotional Ledger Theory; Emotional ROI Model; and three prototype interventions aimed at restoring emotional literacy and autonomy (ER-RL, RAI, Inner Fire Plan). This version includes pilot design details and operational definitions for empirical testing.