Emotions

EMOTIONS     

Defining emotions Types of emotions Physiology of emotions Theories of emotions Culture and emotion

Emotion 



A state of feeling that has cognitive, physiological and behavioral components. OR A state of arousal involving facial and body changes, brain activation, cognitive appraisals, subjective feelings, and tendencies toward action, all shaped by cultural rules.

Types of Emotions Primary emotions : Emotions considered to be universal and biologically based.  Fear  anger  sadness  happiness  Surprise  Disgust  Hatred  Guilt  shame .

Types of Emotions 

Secondary emotion Emotions that develop with cognitive maturity and vary across individuals and cultures

Emotion Elements of Emotion 1-Physiological changes in the face, brain, and body 2-Cognitive processes such as interpretations of events 3-Cultural influences that shape the experience and expression of emotion

Physiological changes in emotions 

Three biological areas of emotion are   

facial expressions, brain regions and circuits, and autonomic nervous system

Facial Expressions     

Facial expressions for primary emotions are universal. A smile sends a message to the brain and positive emotions increase. Even members of remote cultures can recognize facial expressions in people who are foreign to them. Infants are able to read parental expressions. Facial expression can generate same expressions in others, creating mood contagion

Brain and Emotions 

The amygdala  



Left prefrontal cortex  



Responsible for assessing threat. Damage to the amygdala results in abnormality to process fear. Involved in motivation to approach others. Damage to this area results in loss of joy.

Right prefrontal cortex  

Involved in withdrawal and escape. Damage to the area results in excessive mania and euphoria.

Hormones and Emotions 

When experiencing an intense emotion, two hormones are released.  

 

Epinephrine Nor epinephrine

Results in increased alertness and arousal. At high levels, it can create the sensation of being out of control emotionally.

PERCIEVE A SENSORY STIMULUS ADRENAL GLAND SECRETES TWO HORMONES: EPINEPHRINE NOREPINEPHRINE

ACTIVATION OF SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM TAKES PLACE STATE OF AROUSAL(pupils dilate,heart beats faster and breathing speeds)

The Autonomic Nervous System

Detecting Emotions: Does the Body Lie? 



Polygraph testing relies on autonomic nervous system arousal. Typical measures:    

Galvanic Skin Response Pulse, blood pressure Breathing Fidgeting

Theories of emotions James-Lange theory Emotions follow, rather than cause, our behavioral responses to events. Certain stimuli trigger specific instinctive patterns of arousal and actions. 

James-Lang theory Stimulus (Sight of Oncoming Car)

Arousal (Pounding Heart)

Emotion (Fear)

Cannon-Bard theory 



Events simultaneously trigger body responses (arousal and actions) and the experience of an emotion. Emotions accompany body responses but are not produced by them.

Cannon-Bard theory Stimulus (Sight of oncoming Car)

Arousal

+

(Pounding Heart)

Emotion (Fear)







SCATCHER AN SINGER’S TWO FACTOR THEORY

Physiological arousal  Sweaty palms  Increased heart rate  rapid breathing Cognitive Label  Attribute source of arousal to a cause To have an emotion, both factors are required

ACTIVITY IMAGINE THAT YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING THAT WAS AGAINST YOUR PARENT’S WILL..  WRITE DOWN A FEW THOUGHTS THAT WOULD COME TO YOUR MIND AFTER COMMITING THE ACT  DESCRIBE HOW YOU WOULD FEEL ABOUT IT.

•Guilt

Shame Failure is regarded as •Focus is on the bad a personality defect. behavior He feels worthless and •The bad act doesn’t powerless. affect the the overall Cognitive appraisals worthiness of the self. that lead to blaming •Guilty people have the person who was the remorse and try to fix reason for the shame. their faulty actions Focus is on “bad self”

The Rules of Emotional Regulation 

Display Rules 



Body Language 



When, where, and how emotions are to be expressed or when they should be squelched. The nonverbal signals of body movement, posture and gaze that people constantly express.

Emotion Work 

Acting out an emotion we do not feel or trying to create the right emotion for the occasion.

Factors Influencing Emotional Expressiveness   

Gender roles Cultural norms The specific situation