Psy09 - Theories of Emotion & Physiology

Emotion

Mental states or feelings associated with our evaluation of our experiences.

Discrete Emotions Theory

The theory that humans experience a small number of distinct, biologically rooted emotions that serve evolutionary functions.

Primary Emotions

Universal basic emotions that are biologically rooted across cultures, including happiness, disgust, fear, sadness, surprise, anger, and contempt.

Secondary Emotions

Complex emotions formed by combining two or more primary emotions, such as hatred (anger + disgust) or alarm (fear + surprise).

Limbic System (in Emotion)

The brain region involved in emotional processing that fires prior to our conscious thoughts about those emotions.

Physiological Differentiation

The ability to distinguish certain primary emotions by bodily responses, such as heart rate increasing with negative emotions and digestion slowing during fear.

Cognitive Theories of Emotion

Theories proposing that emotions are products of our thinking and mental evaluations.

James

Lange Theory

Somatic Marker Theory

A modern offshoot of the James

Cannon

Bard Theory

Brain Structures in Cannon

Bard Model

Unconscious Influences on Emotion

Subliminal exposure to positive or negative cues that automatically alter mood without conscious awareness.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

The hypothesis stating that we are more likely to feel emotions that correspond to our current facial expressions.