6.05 emotion

1. a stimulus

2. physiological réponse

3. subjective emotional feelings

4. emotional expressions

components of an emotion.

physiological component

emotions often come wit physiological changes in the body. can cause alterations in heart rate, breathing rate, perspiration, muscle tension, and hormone levels.

cognitive component

involves the cognitive appraisal or interpretation of the emotion triggering event. It’s how we perceive and evaluate what’s happening around us. involves attention, memory and perception.

behavioral component

emotions often lead to observable behaviors or actions can be subtle or overt expressions of the emotions experienced. For example, if someone feels happy, they might smile.

expressive component

this component involves the outward expression of emotions, often through facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and gestures. Specific expressions corresponding to different emotions across cultures.

subjective experience

involves feeling and perceptions. this is the internal aspect of emotions, how we personally experience them. It’s the feeling of happiness, sadness, anger, fear, or any other emotion, which can vary in intensity and duration.

social component

emotions are not only experienced individually but also within a social context. Our emotions can influence and be influenced by others around us. Social norms, cultural expectations, and interpersonal relationships shape how we express and regulate our emotions in social settings.

theories of emotion

offer frameworks for understanding how emotions arise, develop, and influence behavior and mental processes.

theory 1 (James-Lang theory)

this theory suggests that emotions result from the interpretation of physiological reactions to stimuli. You feel an emotion because of your body’s response to a stimulus.

theory 2 (Cannon-Bard theory)

suggests that emotions and physiological responses occur simultaneously, rather than one causing the other. Suggests that the thalamus sends signals to both the brain’s cortex and the autonomic nervous system when encountering a stimulus.

theory 3 (Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory)

this theory suggests that emotions are the result of both physiological arousal and cognitive appraisal of the situation. It argues that similar physiological arousal can lead to different emotions depending on how the individual interprets the arousal.

theory 4 (Lazarus Cognitive-Mediational Theory)

when a person encounters a stimulus, they engage in cognitive appraisal. this appraisal in both primary and secondary. It arises from the cognitive appraisal of the situation rather than directly from physiological arousal. different appraisals can lead to different emotional responses, and guide different behaviors.

facial feedback hypothesis

facial expressions not only reflect emotional experiences, but also play a role influencing those experiences. Making a facial expression associated with a particular emotion can intensify or even induce that emotion.

1. experimental studies

2. real world observations

3. neuroimaging studies

4. meta-analyses

research studies

experimental studies

several laboratory experiments have provided support for the Facial Feedback Hypothesis.

ex) individuals with pen stuck between teeth find images funnier than individuals who have pen in between lips.

neuroimaging studies

provides insights into the neural mechanisms underlying the facial feedback hypothesis. Research using fMRI has shown that making facial expressions can activate brain regions associated with the corresponding emotion, supporting the idea that facial feedback can influence emotional experiences at a neural level.

real-world observation

provided mixed results, while some studies have found correlations, others have failed to replicate these findings consistently.

meta-analyses

studies investigating the facial feedback hypothesis have produced mixed results. methodological differences across studies, such as variations in experimental design and measure of emotion, may contribute to these discrepancies.

broaden and build theory of emotion

does not correspond to the experience of emotion itself, but rather the results of emotional experience. suggests that positive emotions play a critical role in the broadening an individual’s awareness and in building personal resources that are used for long term survival and wellbeing.

positive emotions

encourage individuals to think more creatively. They become more open to novel ideas and new solutions to problems. can broaden attention, making them more receptive.

behavioral flexibility

also broadened as positive emotions encourage exploration and playful behavior, leading to the discovery of new environments, relationships, and skills.

health

the regular experience of positive emotions can lead to improved physical health, as individuals who frequently feel positive emotions can lead to improved physical health.

knowledge

positive emotions enhance the ability to learn and acquire new information, broadens attention and creativity.

psychological wellbeing

positive emotions can also contribute to psychological wellbeing by building coping mechanisms, as individuals who regularly experience positive emotions are better equipped to handle stress and recover from adverse experiences.

self-confidence

positive emotions enhance self-confidence and foster an optimistic outlook on life, which can motivate individuals to pursue goals and persist in the face of challenges.

social networks

by fostering social bonds and encouraging cooperative behaviors, positive emotions help build and maintain supportive social networks.

common universal emotions

1. happiness

2. sadness

3. fear

4. anger

5. surprise

6. disgust

biological foundation

emotions are linked to specific physiological responses and brain structures, which re largely consistent across humans. Partly supports the idea that the capacity to experience and express emotions is universal.