Emotional Behaviors Lecture Review

These flashcards cover key concepts and facts from the lecture on emotional behaviors, focusing on the dynamics of emotion, their physiological aspects, moral decision making, and stress management.

What is the primary role of strong emotions according to the lecture?

They tend to increase readiness for action.

What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system involved in emotional arousal?

Sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

What does the sympathetic nervous system prepare the body for?

Brief, vigorous action.

What is the James-Lange theory of emotion?

Emotions are the label we give to our physiological responses after autonomic arousal and skeletal actions.

What are the three components of emotions according to the James-Lange theory?

Cognitions, actions, and feelings.

Is physiological arousal necessary for emotions according to the lecture?

Not necessarily; people with severe spinal cord injuries report feeling emotions at the same level as before their injuries.

What is pure autonomic failure?

A condition where the autonomic nervous system fails to function, yet individuals still report emotions but with reduced intensity.

According to the lecture, what effect does BOTOX have on emotional responses?

Individuals experience weaker emotional responses, suggesting that body changes are important for feeling emotions.

What is a panic attack characterized by?

Extreme sympathetic nervous system arousal, rapid breathing, and a racing heartbeat.

What is the role of facial expressions according to the flashcard study mentioned?

Forcing a smile can enhance the perception of humor.

What is suggested about the number of basic emotions humans have?

Attempts to localize specific emotions in the brain have shown high variability.

Which part of the brain is most associated with disgust?

The insular cortex.

What is the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) associated with?

Low to moderate autonomic arousal related to happiness or anger.

What is the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) linked to?

Increased attention and arousal, inhibiting action, and stimulating fear and disgust.

How do the left and right hemispheres differ in terms of emotional processing?

The left hemisphere is associated with happiness and fun, while the right is more responsive to fear and unpleasant emotions.

What function does fear serve according to the lecture?

It alerts us to danger.

In moral decision making, what do people tend to rely on?

What feels right, often seeking logical justification after the fact.

What effect does prefrontal cortex damage have on moral decision making?

Individuals are more likely to choose utilitarian options, even when they are emotionally unacceptable.

Who is Phineas Gage and why is he significant?

He suffered prefrontal cortex damage that resulted in impulsive behavior and poor decision-making.

How does testosterone influence aggressive behavior?

Higher testosterone levels are associated with increased aggressive behaviors and social dominance.

What relationship have studies found between serotonin turnover and aggressive behavior?

Low serotonin turnover is linked with higher rates of aggression.

What can cause increased aggressive behavior in animal studies?

Social isolation leading to decreased serotonin turnover.

What did studies find about the genetic factors influencing aggression?

There is an interaction between heredity and environmental factors in aggression.

What is Klüver-Bucy syndrome?

A condition in monkeys characterized by decreased fear and tameness after amygdala damage.

What emotional responses are associated with high amygdala activity?

Increased fear responses and heightened perception of danger.

What is the startle reflex?

The response to a sudden, unexpected loud noise, enhanced in individuals with PTSD.

What are the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Distressing recollections, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and exaggerated arousal.

What psychological factor influences vulnerability to PTSD?

Smaller than average hippocampus and lower than normal cortisol levels.

What is the role of CCK in anxiety?

Injections stimulate the startle reflex and enhance anxiety.

What class of drugs is commonly used to alleviate anxiety?

Benzodiazepines.

What effects do benzodiazepines have in the nervous system?

They exert anxiolytic effects in areas like the amygdala and hypothalamus.

What role does the immune system play in stress according to psychoneuroimmunology?

It shows how experiences alter the immune response and influence the nervous system.

How does stress affect memory?

High cortisol levels impair memory and increase neuron vulnerability in the hippocampus.

What are some techniques developed to control stress?

Breathing routines, exercise, meditation, and social support.

What does the General Adaptation Syndrome include?

Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion stages in response to stress.

What activates the HPA axis when an individual is stressed?

The hypothalamus sends signals to the anterior pituitary which secretes ACTH.

How does prolonged stress affect the HPA axis?

It increasingly activates the HPA axis.

Which white blood cells produce specific antibodies?

B cells.

What triggers the release of cytokines in response to stress?

Nervous system activation of the immune system.

What is the connection between resilience and the prefrontal cortex?

Stronger connections between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex are associated with resilience.

What is the significance of social support in stress relief?

It plays a powerful role in coping with stress, as evidenced by brain scans.