Components of Emotion

Transcription

1 Motivation & Emotion Components of Emotion Physiology Expression Cognition Subjective Feeling (qualia) Debate about what is required when 1

2 Two-Factor Theory Do physical reactions precede or follow emotions? Both physiology and emotion required Interpretation of physiological responses leads to emotion But no discrete physiological profile required Predictions (Schacter & Singer) 1. If aroused with no explanation, people seek a cause by interpreting the environment 2. If aroused with an explanation, people do not seek a cause 3. If not aroused, interpretations of the environment are not relevant 2

3 The Study Cover story Informed condition Misinformed condition Ignorant condition Placebo Exposed to Euphoria Anger Euphoria Self Report Self Report Informed Misinformed Ignorant Placebo 3

4 Euphoria Behavior Behavior Informed Misinformed Ignorant Placebo Anger Behavior Behavior Informed Misinformed Ignorant Placebo 4

5 Physiology: Differentiating Emotion Often difficult to discern emotion from physical reactions (heart rate, breathing, sweating, etc). Some evidence that emotions activate different brain areas But methodological constraints remain Expressions Expressions communicate emotions Nonverbal communication (body posture, tone) 5

6 Is Emotion Universal? Evolutionary Approach Emotions are biological i l adaptations ti Increase likelihood that genes will be passed on Cultural Approach Emotions influenced by values, roles, social practices, and construal processes Enhance fit within a particular society Ekman Coding System Facial Expressions Argues that expressions are universal Same emotion should lead to same expression (encoding) Expressions should be interpreted as indicating the same emotion (decoding) Multiple cultures and regions Remote tribes 6

7 Duchenne Smiles Real: Fake More crinkles Eyes involved Fewer crinkles Doesn t reach eyes BUT Expression not required for emotion Individual variability Social pressures & standards create display rules 7

8 Naming the Emotions Differences in the number of words English (2000), Taiwanese (750), Polynesian Ifaluk (58), Malaysian Chewong (8) Differences in the distinctions between emotions Shame vs. embarrassment Anger vs. frustration Culturally Specific Emotions: Running Amok Amok Malay and Javanese cultures Uncontrollable rage No previous history of violence or anger Takes weapon and tries to kill everyone in his/her path Mostly men (may be related to honor & shame) 8

9 Culturally Specific Emotions: Amae Amae Japanese culture Pleasurable dependency on another Indulgent dependency Culturally Specific Emotions: Schadenfreude Schadenfreude German culture Taking pleasure in other s misfortune Private emotion 9

10 Cognitive Appraisal Theories Magda Arnold Respond to stimuli with unconscious appraisals Emotions are the result of these appraisals Either approach or withdraw The Appraisal Chain Stimuli Appraisal Emotion 10

11 Direction of Appraisals Cognitive appraisals result from discrepancies between environment and goals Something you want try to decrease distance Something you don t want try to increase distance One Version (Levine & Stein) Take a functional view of emotion As a signal for something being right or wrong To motivate and direct behavior and thought Emotion serves to integrate information quickly and respond quickly Appraisals are indicators of the status of the goal 11

12 Happiness Beneficial Goal accomplished Certain that it will occur No immediate problem Has implications for subsequent cognitions and action tendencies Sadness Harmful Goal lost forever Certain that the goal is gone Problem. Has implications for subsequent cognition and action tendencies 12

13 Anger Harmful Goal obstructed BUT can still be attained Uncertain that the goal is gone Problem!!!! Has implications for subsequent cognitions and action tendencies Anxiety & Fear Harmful Goal threatened Uncertain about outcome Problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Has implications for subsequent cognition and action tendencies 13

14 Emotion without Appraisal Richard Zajonc Cognitions are not required to feel emotions Demonstrated that people prefer images they ve been exposed to Mere Exposure Effect Are Emotions Useful? Allow for quick reactions Integrate multiple sources of information BUT Can lead us astray We are often unaware of our emotions or their effects Cannot anticipate or correctly remember them 14

15 Happiness and Cognition (Alice Isen) Mild positive mood inductions Happy people Generate more novel associations for a word (e.g., carpet) Are more inclusive in categorizing (is a purse clothing?) Are more likely l to reach agreements favorable to two sides Flexible, creative, integrative thinking Hedonic Adaptation/Treadmill Become accustomed to good events (e.g., getting a raise, new car) Novelty wears off The threshold is raised and we want more, better, different 15

16 What about age? Assumed that older adulthood led to less happiness and more depression Physical declines Death of friends and family Approaching death What about money? (Diener, 2000) In wealthier countries, money has little relationship to satisfaction So much for college Between countries, people in poor countries are less happy than people in wealthy countries Lack of jobs, poor nutrition, diseases, war Happier if individuals have rights, more economic equality 16

17 What about Relationships? Married people twice as likely to say very happy (48%) than unmarried people (24%) Contact with friends correlates with life satisfaction Happy people (Lyuobimirsky) Maximizers vs. satisficers Satisficers are happier in general and with decisions Write five things that make you thankful 17