Chapter 11 - Emotion and Health

Emotion

An increase or decrease in physiological activity accompanied by feelings that are characteristic of the emotion

Sympathetic Nervous System

A part of the ANS that activates the body during arousal

• increases heart rate, respiration, sweat

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A part of the ANS that shuts down the body following arousal; rest and digest

• decreases heart rate, respiration, and resumes digestion

James-Lange Theory

A theory of emotion in which emotional experience comes from physiological arousal that precedes it

• emotions influenced by muscle activation

Cognitive Theory

A theory of emotion in which the identity of an emotion is based on a cognitive assessment of a situation

• what we feel is based on what we think about it

• physiological arousal contributes only to intensity of emotion

Integrative Embodiment Theory of Emotion

A combination of the James-Lange and Cognitive Theories in which induced facial expressions influence the interpretation of environmental stimuli

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that fire when engaged in a specific act and in observation of the same act in others

Limbic System

A network of structures arranged around the upper brain stem which is central to emotion, motivation, learning, and memory

Hypothalamus

The brain structure which has primary control over the autonomic system

• main hormone area

Amygdala

A small limbic system structure near the lateral ventricle of the temporal lobes

• associated with fear, anxiety, and negative emotions when activated

Insular Cortex

A brain structure mainly involved in disgust, but also the cortical projection site for taste

Basal Ganglia

A brain structure mainly involved in disgust, but also the motor related functions of food and disgust

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)

A brain structure best known for roles in attention, decision-making, and impulse control

• also plays a major role in emotion

Stress

A condition in the environment that makes unusual demands on an organism

• threat, failure, bereavement

• activation of the sympathetic NS

The Hypothalamus and Stress

It stimulates the adrenal medulla (gland) to release epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis

A primary neuroendocrine system that regulates the body’s response to stress, metabolism, immune function, and digestion

1st step of the HPA Axis

The hypothalamus releases corticotropic-releasing hormone (CRH)

2nd step of the HPA Axis

The CRH stimulates the synthesis and release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland

3rd step of the HPA Axis

ACTH binds to the adrenal cortex and triggers the release of cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine

• targets organs, and does feedback inhibition on hypothalamus

Leukocytes

White blood cells that recognize invaders by the unique proteins (antigens) that every cell has on its surface and kills them

Macrophage

A type of white blood cell that ingests invaders and displays foreign antigens

T Cells

A type of white blood cells that are attracted by specific antigens

B Cells

A type of white blood cells that produce antibodies that attack a particular cell type

Natural Killer Cells

Cells that attack and destroy certain kinds of cancer cells and cells infected with viruses

Sudden Cardiac Death

An excessive sympathetic activity with stress that sends the heart intro fibrillation, contracting so rapidly that it pumps little or no blood