Psychology of Emotion Midterm Exam

Emotion

A complex disturbance that includes subjective affect, physiological changes, and action impulses.

Feelings

The perception of a certain state of the body along with specific modes of thinking and themes, as defined by Antonio Damasio.

Amygdala

A brain structure involved in processing emotions, particularly fear.

emotion

a universal, functional reaction to an external stimulus event, temporally integrating physiological, cognitive, phenomenological, and behavioral channels to facilitate a fitness-enhancing, environment-shaping response to the current situation

Component Theory

A theory that outlines five components common to many definitions of emotion, including subjective quality, appraisals, action tendencies, expressions, and physiological changes.

action tendencies

appraisals

expressions

physiology changes

subjective quality

five components of component theory

emotions

• tend to be brief

• associated with a specific stimulus

• tend to interrupt ongoing activities

• involves changes in response systems

mood

• tends to last longer periods of time than emotions

• eliciting causes are often not known to the person

• a diffuse affective state

• with a relatively week intensity and more stable response over time

Attitudes/sentiments

• more or less emotional states

• emotional potential is elicited by the object of the attitude itself

Temperament/personality

• dispositions of a person to react with certain types and intensities of emotions

• Reactions vary by events or situations

• bipolar scales

• unipolar scales

• forced choice

• free response

four types of self-report questionnaires

bipolar scales

self report questionnaire, each “anchor” is opposite in quality, ie. strongly agree, strongly disagree

unipolar scales

self-report questionnaires; from low to high on attribute, ie. not at all to extremely

forced choice

self-report questionnaire; yes/no, true/false

free response scales

ask person to relate emotional event, or period of time, last time they experienced X, etc.

diaries/real-time

includes the experience sampling method (ESM)

experience sampling method (ESM)

people respond to Qs on electronic device; pre-programmed for 3-5 random times during day

• action (tendency)

• cognitions

• expression (& behavior)

• physiological changes

• subjective feeling

Measurements of Emotion

James-Lange Theory

A theory suggesting that bodily changes follow the perception of an exciting fact, and that these changes constitute the emotion.

FACS (Facial Action Coding System)

based upon movements of independent muscles and head positions, which are expressed in “action units”, by assigning them a number

Cannon-Bard Theory

A theory proposing that emotional feelings and physiological reactions occur simultaneously and independently.

1) Perception of heightened sympathetic arousal (non specific)

2) Cognitions-interpretation of the event

Schachter-Singer Two Factor Theory

Appraisal Theory

A cognitive approach to emotion that emphasizes the role of individual evaluations of stimuli in the emotional experience.

Emotional Arousal

The physiological and psychological state of being emotionally activated, often measured through heart rate and skin conductance.

Facial Action Coding System (FACS)

A system for categorizing facial movements by identifying specific muscle actions that correspond to emotional expressions.

Subjective Feeling

The personal experience of emotion, often assessed through self-report questionnaires.

Action Tendency

The behavioral response that emotions provoke, such as approach or withdrawal.

Valence

The intrinsic attractiveness or aversiveness of an emotion.

Affective States

Emotional conditions that can vary in intensity and duration, including emotions, moods, and sentiments.

Emotion Regulation

The processes by which individuals influence their emotions, including their experience and expression.

Experience Sampling Method (ESM)

A research method used to collect data on individuals' emotions in real-time throughout their daily lives.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions and the emotions of others.

Cognitive Appraisal

The evaluation of a situation that influences emotional responses, determining whether an event is perceived as a threat or a benefit.

Physiological Changes

Bodily responses associated with emotions, such as changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.

• attentional bias

• judgements

• memory recall

• reaction time

Things that affect cognition/appraisals

PET

introduces a small amount of radioactive tracer into the brain, which is taken up most active brain sties-then can be detected

fMRI

measures O2 and blood concentrations in the vessels supplying the brain by using intense magnetic fields-blood concentrations changes where there is brain activity

• appraisals

• breaking social norms

• empathy

• imagining (emotional situations)

• posing facial expressions

• reflective appraisals

• remembering past

• talking about emotions

• told by others

nine pathways to emotion

emotion generates the response; perception → emotional feeling → bodily changes

“Common sense” view of the process of emotion, William James

Perception → Motor Reaction/Visceral Arousal → Emotional Feelings

James-Lange View of Emotion

the autonomic nervous system produces undifferentiated feelins

Cannon’s theory on ANS

perception → brain (thalamus) activation → emotional feeling/body reaction

Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion

discrete emotion

the idea that each emotion has a unique set of properties that varies little

dimensional emotions

emotions organized around ranges of different dimensions, so not unique set of each emotion, are an illusion

• valence

• arousal

• approach stimuli

dimensions of emotions

perception → appraisal → action tendency → emotion

appraisal theory

appraisal

heart of emotional experience, according to Magda Arnold

perceive situation → behavioral and physiological changes → experience emotion; in short, response generates the emotion

James Lange’s Theory of Emotion

Event → ANS Arousal → Cognition → Emotion

Schater’s Theory

Charles Darwin

started scientific study of emotions

• Increased BP in Threat vs. Challenge Condition

• Stress reports

Tomaka’s experiment results

Responses to our perceived environments that prepare and mobilize us to cope in and adaptive manner; appraisal incorporate a “relational meaning”

Lazarus defined emotion as…

• Instructions provided before performing a mental arithmetic task (while obtaining cardiac measures)

  • Emphasizing difficulty (threat condition)

  • Emphasizing that the task very do-able (challenge condition)

Tomaka’s experiment on appraisal and physiology

• Primary Appraisal: Does the situation have relevance for our personal well-being?

  • Always automatic but can be addressed consciously as well

• Secondary Appraisal: Assessing possible ways of coping with the situation

• Core Relational Theme: Each emotion is a response to a certain theme of the situation

Components of Lazarus’ Appraisal Theory

• goal relevance (how related to personal goals)

• goal congruence (consistency with personal goals)

• ego involvement (self-esteem/morals/ideals

Lazarus’ primary appraisal

• credit or blame (external - internal)

• coping potential (controllable - not controllable)

• future expectancy

Components of Lazarus’ secondary appraisal

• Found for skin conductance

  • Highest for trauma conditions

  • Lowest for intellectualization and denial conditions

• RESULT: Thus, how one appraises events, influences emotional responses

• RESULT: Appraisals can be influenced even before stimulus is presented, by changing expectations of event

Result from Lazarus’ experiment (using circumcision film of aboriginal adolescent males)

Cognitive Coping Strategies

the mental processes individuals use to manage stress and navigate challenging situations; theorized by Lazarus

• Show circumcision film of aboriginal adolescent males

• Different soundtracks were used

  • Intellectualization: (told: approach film as an anthropologist would - ‘detached’)

  • Denial: (told: procedure is not that bad)

  • Trauma: (told: how very awful procedure is)

  • Silent: (told: nothing, no soundtrack, just watch)

Summary of Lazarus Cognitive Coping Strategies Experiment

• observations of behavior and facial expression

• methodological advances

• theory of evolution applied to understanding of emotion

major contributions of Darwin to the study of emotions

• Expression and behavior

• Methodological Advances

Darwin’s methods for studying emotioin

• animals must have some form of emotins

• emotions are innate

• emotions are functinal and adaptive

Consequences of evolutionary theory to emotions according to Darwin

• universal facial expressions

• babies have emotions

• deaf and blind children experience same emotions as other children

• similarity of emotions between animals and humans

Evidence for “emotions must be innate”

• principle of serviceable habits

• principle of antithesis

• principle of nervous discharge

Darwin’s Three Principles on the Origins of Expression

facial movements that were useful and take on meaning, and then inherited by offspring

principle of serviceable habits

facial movements opposite to one developed by habits take on meaning, and then are inherited by offspring

principle of antithesis

build-up in nervous system, leads to arousal that is discharged; ie. emotional vocalizations, nervous chatter of lips/teeth

principle of nervous discharge

all

Ekman argues that______ emotions (should) have an evolutionary orgin

• Emotions should be functional (they do something for humans that is important for reproduction)

• Emotions signal others (expressions) likely evolved from living socially

Ekman’s uses of emotioins

• Presence in primates (or other closely related species)

• Automatic Appraisal

• Brief Duration

• Commonalties in Antecedents

• Distinctive Physiology

• Unbidden Occurrence

• Quick Onset

Features of emotions if evolutionary according to Ekman

• Patient SM does not experience fear because of non-functional amygdala → gets into trouble and unsafe activities

• People with Huntington’s Disease cannot recognize some facial expressions (Disgust and Fear!)

Evidence for Function of Emotion from Lacking Emotions

• Some on the Autism spectrum do not have strong emotions or some might be altered

Evidence for Function of Emotion from Developmental

• Avoidance or Withdrawal Motivation

  • ANS response system aids survival in fear-driven emergencies

• Approach Motivation

  • Regulated by emotional processes, aiding/fostering one to be social (for survival) or to find mates (reproduction)

Evidence for Function of Emotion from Evolutionary Outcomes

• Use expression to guide behavior

  • Smiles used for signaling to others

• Influencing Group Cohesiveness

Evidence for Function of Emotion from Social Interations

Know Duchenne smile vs. social smile

different smiles can solve the basic tasks of social living

Niedenthal social-functional view of smiles

• Reward/Enjoyment Smiles

  • Rewarding self (or positive feelings)

• Affiliative smiles

  • Cueing nonthreat (or positive motivation)

• Dominance smiles

  • Negotiating social hiearchies

Three types of smile according to Niedenthal

universally expressed

Ekman believes that basic emotions would be…

Emotions are not universally expressed, there are commonalities across US, Japan, Argentina, and Europe through Movies/TV

Criticism of Ekman’s basic emotion theory

• Display rules are learned in the culture or social context

• May be conscious but are usually not

Ekman’s Display rules

Universality of Facial Expressions

The concept that certain facial expressions are recognized and interpreted similarly across different cultures.

Duchenne Smiles

Genuine smiles that involve the contraction of the zygomatic major and orbicularis oculi muscles, indicating true happiness.

• Cultural Challenge

  • More literate the sample, the better their recognition of facial expressions

• Methodological

  • Posed vs. natural faces

    • Posed seen as extreme while in reality expressions are subtler with lower recognition

  • Chance levels influenced by number of choices and nature of options

  • Forced Choice nature of test: if already seen “anger”, can rule it out and easier to guess non-anger expression

Criticism of the Universality hypothesis of Ekman

Discrete Emotion Theory

suggests faces with expressions should always be recognized

Display Rules

Cultural norms that dictate the appropriate expressions of emotions in social contexts, influencing how emotions are expressed or suppressed.

Forced Choice Method

A research technique where participants must choose from a limited set of options, which can influence the accuracy of emotion recognition.

Behavioral Ecology View of Facial Displays (BECV)

A theory proposed by Alan Fridlund suggesting that facial expressions serve as social tools for communication rather than merely reflecting internal emotional states.

A theory proposed by Alan Fridlund suggesting that facial expressions serve as social tools for communication rather than merely reflecting internal emotional states.

Behavioral Ecology View of Facial Displays (BECV)

Basic Emotions Theory (BET)

Paul Ekman's theory that emotions are discrete and functional, always expressed unless masked or regulated by display rules.

Paul Ekman's theory that emotions are discrete and functional, always expressed unless masked or regulated by display rules.

Basic Emotions Theory (BET)

Emotions expressed when needed to communicate

Fridlund’s belief for expressing emotions

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

The theory that language shapes thought and perception, suggesting that the absence of a word in a language may indicate a lack of corresponding thought or feeling.

The theory that language shapes thought and perception, suggesting that the absence of a word in a language may indicate a lack of corresponding thought or feeling.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Hyper-cognition

The phenomenon where cultures develop extensive vocabulary and conceptualization for certain emotions, leading to greater cognitive elaboration.

Hypo-cognition

The lack of vocabulary or conceptualization for certain emotions in a culture, resulting in less cognitive elaboration.

Emotions are not discrete states, but are on a continuum, for which he created a circumplex model

James Russell’s theory of emotions

• There are some similarities across cultures in the underlying structure of emotion

  • RESULT: Culture cannot be the only source of emotion and there must be underlying common human traits

Conclusion of the circumplex models of emotion