Emotion and Motivation PSCL 101

3 dimensions of emotion

valence, high or low arousal, approach or withdrawal

dimension 1: valence

positive or negative

dimension 2

high or low arousal

dimension 3

approach or withdrawal

3 components of emotion

affective, physiological, behavioral

affective component

immediate positive or negative feeling

physiological component

physical reaction

behavioral component

behavior differs from subjective component

darwin view on emotions in people and animals

believed animals and humans share some of the same emotions and expressions

discrete emotions theory

humans experience a small number of basic emotions that can combine in complex ways

primary emotions

emotions that are evolutionarily adaptive, shared across cultures, and associated with specific physical states

secondary emotions

blends of primary emotions

the primary emotions

anger, fear, sadness, disgust, happiness, maybe surprise and contempt

some secondary emotions

remorse, jealousy, guilt, submission, and anticipation

display rules

cultural guidelines for how and when to express emotions

theories of cognitive emotion

james-lange and cannon-bard

james-lange theory of emotion

emotional experiences are the result of physiological arousal; event occurs → body reacts → emotion

cannon-bard theory of emotion

event occurs → thalamus receives sensory input → autonomic NS responds and cortex interprets situation; emotion and physiological response are independent of each other; happen simultaneously

2-factor theory of emotion

emotion is based on physiological arousal and cognitive labeling

example of 2 factor theory of emotion

pounding heart is fear if one sees a bear, but pounding heart is love if one sees their romantic partner

unconscious influences on emotion

mere exposure, subliminal

mere exposure effect

repeated exposure to a stimulus will make us more likely to feel favorably towards it

subliminal

stimuli that is below the threshold for awareness

nonverbal leakage

an unconscious spillover of emotions into nonverbal behavior

signs that can distinguish sincerity

morphology, symmetry, duration, temporal patterning

morphology in smiles

fake and genuine smiles are controlled by different parts of the brain

what is the duchenne marker

involuntary contraction of facial muscles around the eyes

symmetry in sincerity

sincere expressions usually more symmetrical

duration of a sincere expression

usually lasts 0.5 to 5 seconds

temporal patterning

sincere expressions have a smooth appearance and disappearance

positive psychology

emphasizes human strengths

at what age does happiness begin to decline

18

at what age does happiness usually reach a low

40

when does happiness begin to rise again

50

social influences on interpersonal attraction

proximity, similarity, reciprocity, physical attraction

sternbergs triangular theory of love

intimacy, passion, commitment

maslow’s hierarchy of needs

physiological → safety → belonging → esteem → self actualization