Emo$on
Characteris$cs of Emo$ons Emo$ons are a mix of Physiological ac$va$on Expressive behaviors Conscious experience
Theories of Emo$on James- Lange Emo$onal s$mulus causes physiological reac$on Physiological reac$on produces emo$on We are afraid because we run. We feel sorry because we cry. Cannon- Bard Thalamus relays emo$onal s$muli to the cortex and internal organs simultaneously. Emo$onal awareness and physiological changes occur at the same $me.
Theories of Emo$on Cogni$on and Emo$on- Schacter- Singer (Two- factor theory) Emo$ons are a mix of physiological arousal, expressive behavior (facial expressions) and cogni$ve appraisal of the situa$on. How we think about events affects the experience of the emo$on Physiological arousal is an undifferen$ated state that can be given any number of labels The labels we use to describe our emo$ons depend on our immediate environment and what is on our mind at the moment
Two routes to emo$on
Two dimensions of emo$on
Physiological Arousal
Arousal and Performance Yerkes and Dodson
Nonverbal Communica$on We read fear and anger mostly from the eyes, happiness from the mouth. (Kestenbaum) Studies also consistently find females beper at reading people s emo$onal cues. Women react more visibly to emo$ons Gordon film studies Women and men differ in the emo$ons they express the best Women are convey happiness beper Men convey anger beper E- mail communica$ons lack nonverbal cues and can be misinterpreted Meaning of gestures varies with cultures
Facial Expressions Charles Darwin Adap$ve role of communica$ng emo$onal states to others Unlearned/social in nature Universal occurrence of facial expressions of emo$ons (basic emo$ons) Facial feedback Infants show facial expressions without teaching (blind infants) Facial expressions amplify and regulate emo$ons
Culture and Emo$onal Expression The meaning of gestures varies with emo$on Display rules Cultural norms tell us which emo$ons we display Learned during childhood and act to exaggerate, minimize or mask emo$onal expressions Expression of emo$ons depend on the situa$on and who is present
Facial Expressions and the Brain Voluntary facial movements- pyramidal motor system- faked facial expressions Involuntary facial movements- extrapyramidal motor system- felt facial expressions- Duchenne smile Cerebral hemispheres are differently specialized for percep$on, experience and expression of emo$on Right frontal regions- nega$ve emo$on LeZ frontal regions- posi$ve emo$on Right hemisphere- more control of facial expressions
Lie Detec$on The lie detector or polygraph Tries to detect lying by measuring ANS ac$vity Measures several of the physiological responses accompanying emo$on such as perspira$on, heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure changes. Cannot dis$nguish between anxiety, fear, irrita$on and guilt The test more ozen labels the innocent as guilty, than the guilty innocent
Experiencing Emo$on Matsumoto (1994)- seven recognized emo$ons Anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise and contempt Izard (1977)- ten basic emo$ons Joy, interest- excitement, surprise, sadness, anger, disgust, contempt, fear, shame and guilt
Fear Adap$ve response preparing our bodies to flee dangers Learning fear Classical condi$oning (I.e. Reflec$ng past trauma) Observa$onal learning (I.e. reflec$ng fears of parents and friends) Biology of fear Biological preparedness Amygdala Phobias Gene$cs- emo$onal reac$vity
Biology of fear
Anger Causes/learning of anger/aggression Classical condi$oning Observa$onal learning Frustra$on/crowding/extreme temperatures/aches and pains/foul odors Cultural differences Individualis$c/collec$vis$c Biology of anger/aggression Amygdala/hippocampus Testosterone Twin studies Dealing with anger Catharsis hypothesis: reduc$on of anger by release through aggressive ac$ons Advantage: can be temporarily calming if it does not leave us feeling guilty or anxious Disadvantage: expressing anger leads to more anger Evidence supports the opposite of catharsis- an increase in aggression
Happiness Feel good- do good phenomena Subjec$ve well- being Rela$onship between wealth and happiness Adapta$on- level principle We adapt to levels of a s$mulus and need something even beper to make us feel happy Rela$ve depriva$on principle The sense that we are worse off than others with whom we compare ourselves Predictors of happiness High self- esteem Op$mis$c, outgoing, agreeable Close friendships Work and leisure that engages their skills Meaningful religious faith Sleep well and exercise
The changing materialism of entering college students
Does money buy happiness?