Psychology of Emotions, Stress, and Coping Strategies

Emotion

A response of the whole organism, involving physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience resulting from one’s interpretations. (Eg. Happiness, fear, etc)

James-Lange theory

Emotion occurs when we become aware of our physiological responses to an emotion-arousing stimulus. (Eg. You feel fear BECAUSE your heart beat is racing when seeing a bear)

Cannon-Bard Theory

An emotion-arousing stimulus simultaneously triggers physiological responses and the subjective experience of emotion. (Eg. Seeing a bear → Heart races and fear is felt at the same time)

Two-factor Theory

Schachter-Singer theory: to experience emotion, one must be physically aroused and cognitively label the arousal. (Eg. Your heart races and you interpret it as fear when seeing a bear)

Polygraph

A device that measures physiological responses (like heart rate, breathing, and sweat) to detect emotional arousal. (Eg. Lie detector test; not very effective)

Facial feedback effect

Facial muscle states can trigger corresponding feelings such as fear, anger, or happiness. (Eg. Smiling can make you happier)

Behavior feedback effect

Behavior influences our own and others’ thoughts, feelings, and actions. (Eg. Walking confidently makes you feel confident)

Catharsis

Releasing aggressive energy relieves aggressive urges. (Eg. Hitting a punching bag when frustrated)

Feel-good, do-good phenomenon

People are more helpful when in a good mood. (Eg. Feeling good → donating to charity)

Positive psychology

Scientific study of human flourishing; promotes strengths and virtues. (Eg. Practicing mindfulness)

Subjective well-being

Self-perceived happiness or life satisfaction. (Eg. Happiness differs even with same income)

Adaptation level phenomenon

We judge experiences relative to prior experience. (Eg. New phone feels normal after time)

Relative deprivation

We feel worse off compared to others. (Eg. Good salary feels bad if coworkers earn more)

Stress

Process of perceiving and responding to events (stressors) seen as threatening or challenging. (Eg. Taking an exam)

Approach & avoidance motives

Drive to move toward or away from a stimulus. (Eg. Study to earn good grades or avoid failure)

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

Selye’s 3-phase stress response: alarm, resistance, exhaustion.

Tend-and-befriend response

Under stress, people (esp. women) support others and seek support.

Health psychology

Subfield of psychology that applies psychology to behavioral medicine.

Psychoneuroimmunology

Study of how psychological, neural, and endocrine processes affect the immune system and health.

Coronary heart disease

Clogging of heart vessels; major cause of death in developed countries.

Type A

Competitive, hard-driving, impatient, and anger-prone personality type.

Type B

Easygoing, relaxed personality type.

Coping

Alleviating stress using emotional, cognitive, or behavioral methods.

Problem-focused coping

Dealing with stress directly by changing the stressor or your reaction. (Eg. Talk to friend to resolve conflict)

Emotion-focused coping

Avoiding or ignoring stressor, attending to emotional needs. (Eg. Listen to music after fight)

Personal control

Feeling of controlling your environment vs. helplessness. (Eg. Work harder after failing)

Learned helplessness

Passive resignation after repeated failures or uncontrollable events. (Eg. Stop studying after repeated failure)

External locus of control

Belief that outside forces control fate. (Eg. Blame test for poor grade)

Internal locus of control

Belief that you control your own fate. (Eg. Study differently to improve)

Self-control

Ability to delay gratification for long-term rewards. (Eg. Do homework instead of watching TV)

Aerobic exercise

Sustained exercise improving heart/lung fitness; reduces depression/anxiety.

Mindfulness meditation

Attending to present experiences nonjudgmentally and with acceptance.