Unit 5.4: Emotion

Early Theories of emotion

Primary revolutionary emotion

James-Lange theory

Cannon-bard theory

Primary Evolutionary Emotions (Charles Darwin)

Emotions are an autonomic biological process which developed as a result of our need for survival no different than breathing, heartbeat or fight or flight

James-Lange Theory

Emotions are not an instinct but instead are a psychological interpretation of your body’s physical reactions to an outside force

Cannon-Bard Theory ( Walter Cannon, Philip Bard )

Emotions are simultaneous physical reactions to outside forces

Modern Theories of Emotion

Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory

Lazarus’ Cognitive Appraisal Theory

LeDoux’s Two-Track Theory of Emotion

Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory

There are 2 factors that lead to and determine emotion

• Physical arousal: Your body give physical reactions first

• Cognitive Labeling: Then, your brain labels and determines the emotion

Lazarus’ Cognitive Appraisal Theory

An emotional response is the result of the brain processing the outside stimuli first then determining what the response should be

Social Factors of Emotions

Body Language/Embodied Emotions/Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Universal Emotion Theory

Display Rules

Body Language/Embodied Emotions/Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Emphasize that certain emotional states have clearly observable and measurable physical responses which coincide with them. Human beings then interpret these symptoms to determine their emotional state

Display Rules

Socially acceptable descriptions of emotional behavior defined by a reference group to whom a subject belongs

Introduction to love

Altruism

Oxytocin

Pheromones

Altruism

The unselfish regard for the welfare of others without expecting anything in return

Pheromones

Chemicals that organisms release into the environment to send complex messages from one organism to the other

More Theories of Emotion

Hedonic Relevance

Social Exchange Theory

Hedonic Relevance

The extent to which a situation or activity has bearing on the attainment or maintenance of a positive mood

Social Exchange Theory

A theory envisioning social interactions as an exchange in which the participants seek to maximize their benefits (the rewards they receive minus the costs they incur) within the limits of what is regarded as fair or just