A group of international researchers combined their collective expertise to write this scholarly book on daily experiences, which are rooted in emotions. The overarching theme of the book concerns the understanding of basic emotions that stem from experiences. Emotional experiences are reactions in response to events or situations which are influenced by a subjective internal feeling, how the body responds to a specific emotion, and how one then reacts or behaves toward the outer world. The ability to understand the interplay among social, cognitive, and biological processes in emotion, is vital for effective functioning. The authors weave together theory, science, and narrative to illuminate the contrasting valences of emotion (i.e., the subjective positive or negative character of paired emotions, e.g., hope vs. despair, humility vs. pride, etc.). Blending scientific rigour with human sensitivity, this book offers a profound and accessible exploration of the emotional forces that bind us together and sometimes pull us apart. Roots of Contemporary Human Experiences reflects the authors shared commitment to making psychological knowledge meaningful, accessible, and transformative for readers from all walks of life. This is an essential read for those who seek to understand the emotional fabric of daily life.