The Ensemble Hypothesis - Exam 2

Emotion

Reflects a motion outward

It is…

• inferred, reaction, functional

Purpose…

• survival (approach: nourishment and reproduction) (withdrawal: danger/threats)

• adaptive (induces motivation)(lowers sensory threshold)

Emotion Brain Regions

Limbic System…

• Amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, autonomic nervous system

Oscillations for Emotions

Delta waves (0.5-4) are elevated in depression

Theta (4-8) are linked to anxiety and regulation

Beta (13-30) are seen in stress and rumination

Rhythmic breathing entrains oscillations in the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex

Common Sense Theory

Stimulus → emotional response → physiological response

• person sees something scary (lion), then they exhibit the emotional response, then the physiological response

James-Lange Interpretation

Stimulus → physiological response → emotional response

• see something arousing (lion), exhibits physiological response, which then creates the emotional response

Cannon-Bard Interpretation

Stimulus → Physiological response + emotional response

• see something arousing (lion), exhibits the physiological and emotional response simultaneously 

Papez Circuit Theory

Sites the neuroanatomy structures in an emotional response

• early neuroanatomical model linking limbic system structures to emotional experiences

Schachter-Singer Theory

Emotion = physiological response + context

• emotion is the result of both physiological arousal and cognitive labeling (context) of that arousal

  • see a snake, label that arousal mentally (i am afraid) and then results the emotion and behavior

Measuring Emotion

Physiological measures…

• EEG, FMRI, PET scan

Body Measures

• EMG (facial muscles), Heart rate, skin conductance (sweat), stomach activity, hormones

  • In Skin Conductance & EMG studies: emotional pictures can elicit measurable physiological responses

Reward and Addiction

Reward System…

• dopamine in nucleus accumbens drives reinforcement

Addiction: drugs hijack reward pathways; rats self-stimulate dopamine release

Cognitive Appraisal

Interpretation of arousal affect emotional experiences

• the difference between sex, combat, and a 200-meter sprint in our minds

Re-appraisal

• involves interpreter and executive working memory

  • facilitates re-framing an emotional experiences

Cultural Evolution of Emotion

Emotions are shaped by both biology and culture

Dual Inheritance Model…

• Biology: affective building blocks (arousal, valence)

• Culture: labels, norms, expressions (reinforced through language and context)

Emotional Regulation

Re-appraisal - viewing stimuli with detached, analytical mindset

• shown to improve emotional stability and regulation

Suppression - inhibiting facial expressions and emotional display

Better working memory (executive) = better emotional regulation abilities