Theories of emotion

what is emotion

a subjective mental state with distinctive behaviours and involuntary physiological changes, often involving autonomic activation

what does the sympathetic nervous system have related to emotion

fight or flight

what does the parasympathetic nervous system have related to emotion

prepares the body to relax and recuperate

describe the James-Lange theory

emotions result from the perception of bodily changes

what is the Cannon-Bard theory

emotion and physiological arousal occur simultaneously, triggered by the brain (thalamus)

describe the two-factor theory

emotional labels (e.g., anger, fear, joy) are attributed to relatively nonspecific feelings of physiological arousal

which emotion that is experienced depends on cognitive systems that assess the context

what is individual response stereotype

stable lifetime patterns of emotional reactivity, evident even in infancy

what are the 8 basic emotions in pairs

joy — sadness

affection — disgust

anger — fear

expectation — surprise

how are autonomic responses linked to emotions

specific emotions often involve characteristic patterns of autonomic activity (e.g., HR, skin conductance)

what factors influence how people respond to emotional stimuli

genetics

personality traits

prior experiences

cultural background

current physiological state

what is autonomic reactivity

the degree to which a person’s autonomic nervous system responds to emotional stimuli — varies between individuals

what evidence supports a core set of emotions

cross-cultural recognition of basic facial expressions; similar physiologicla patterns

what are the commonly proposed basic emotions

happiness

sadness

fear

anger

surprise

disgust

why are emotions considered evolutionary adaptations?

they prepare the organism to respond rapidly and effectively to envrionmental challenges and opportunities

what role do facial expressions play in emotion

communicate emotional states

aid social bonding

influence one’s own emotional experience

how do cultural differences influence facial displays

cultures vary in display rules — norms governing when and how emotions are expressed