Emotion

EmotionEmotion – A four part process that involves

physiological arousal, subjective feelings, cognitive interpretation, and behavioral expression – all of which interact, rather than occurring in a linear sequence. Helps organisms deal with important events.

Evolution and EmotionEmotions have evolved to help us respond to

important situation and to convey our intentions to others.

Evolution and EmotionExample

Sexual jealousy probably has an evolutionary basis because mate infidelity threatens the individual’s chances of producing offspring.

Cultural Universals in Emotional ExpressionMost emotions, but not all, are universally

understood regardless of culture.Facial expressions are used to convey universal

messages and motions.

Cultural Universals in Emotional ExpressionDisplay Rules – The permissible ways of

displaying emotions in a particular society.

Counting the EmotionsHow many emotions are there?

Probably over 500, but 7 are universally recognized. Anger Disgust Fear Happiness Sadness Contempt Surprise

The Purpose of EmotionsEmotions are normally meant to help us

adapt to our environment and signal others how we are feeling.

But, if too intense or prolonged, they may become destructive and detrimental to our mental health.

Emotional Differences b/t Men and WomenBiologyCultureGender StereotypesDifferences in Punishment and

Reinforcement

Where Do Emotions Come From?Unconscious Emotions:

The Limbic System Fight or Flight – Attack, Defense, Retreat

The Reticular Formation Responsible for emotional reactions such as fear

and anger in emergency situations. Early warning system. Communicates with Amygdala and Thalamus to help

arouse the brain in emergencies.

Where Do Emotions Come From?Conscious Emotions

The Cerebral Cortex Interprets events and associates them with

memories and feelings to create emotions. Lateralization of Emotion – The different influences

of the two brain hemispheres on various emotions. Left Hemisphere influences positive emotions. Right Hemisphere influences negative emotions.

Where Do Emotions Come From?Autonomic Nervous System

Plays the key role in emotionally arousing your internal organs (like your heart) in different situations.

Where do Emotions Come From?Sympathetic Division of Nervous System –

Helps us respond to unpleasant stimuli.Parasympathetic Division of the Nervous

System – Helps us respond to pleasant stimuli.

Where Do Emotions Come From?The Role of Hormones

Serotonin – DepressionEpinephrine – FearNorepinephrine – AngerSteroids – Change the way nerve cells that

release hormones are excited. Why people on steroids become angry easier… Roid

Rage.

Psychological Theories of EmotionJames – Lange Theory

The proposal that an emotion provoking stimulus produces a physical response that, in turn, produces and emotion.

Psychological Theories of EmotionCannon-Bard Theory

The counter-proposal that an emotional feeling and an internal physiological response occur at the same time: One is not the cause of the other.

Both were believed to be the result of cognitive appraisal of the situation.

Psychological Theories of EmotionSchachter’s Two Factor Theory

The proposal claiming that emotion results from the cognitive appraisal of both physical arousal (Factor 1) and an emotion provoking stimulus (Factor 2).

Psychological Theories of EmotionCognitive Appraisal Theory

Theory of emotion which theorizes that individuals decide on an appropriate emotion following the event. Make a conscious decision about how we should

feel after the event has occurred.

Psychological Theories of EmotionOpponent-Process Theory

Theory of emotion which Theorizes that emotions have pairs.

When one is triggered, the other is suppressed. Example – When we feel happy, sad is the

suppressed emotion.

Emotion and Athletic PerformanceInverted U Function – Describes the

relationship between arousal and performance.Both high and low levels of arousal produce

lower performance than does a moderate level of arousal.

Sensation seekers – Individuals who have a biological need for higher levels of stimulation than do other people.

How Much Control do We Have Over Our Emotions?Although emotional responses are not always

consciously regulated, we can learn to control them.

How Much Control do We Have Over Our Emotions?Emotional Intelligence – The ability to

understand and control emotional responses.Helps significantly in having the ability to

properly control our emotions.

How Much Control do We Have Over Our Emotions?Detecting Deceptions

Lie Detectors (Polygraphs) used to detect deceptions to determine if people are lying. Can be inaccurate and have many flaws. Physiological signs are not always telling of whether

or not people are lying, which is why they’re often inaccurate.

Polygraphs are really just arousal detectors.