7.2

Overview of Emotions

• Emotions are central to human experience, influencing decisions, relationships, and perceptions.

• Key questions include whether emotions are universal and biologically hardwired or shaped by culture and experience.

Definitions and Components of Emotions

• Emotions resist simple definitions; what constitutes an emotion can be complex.

• Components of Emotion:

  1. Physiological Experience: Body reactions (e.g., heart racing, sweating).

  2. Subjective Experience: Personal interpretation of feelings (e.g., excitement vs. fear).

  3. Behavioral Expression: Outward signs of emotions (e.g., smiling, frowning).

Theoretical Approaches to Emotion

Basic Emotion Theory (Paul Ekman)

• Theory asserts that certain emotions are universal and biologically hardwired.

• Six Basic Emotions Identified by Ekman:

  • Happiness

  • Sadness

  • Anger

  • Fear

  • Disgust

  • Surprise

• Facial feedback hypothesis suggests facial expressions can influence emotional experiences.

• Cultural display rules affect how emotions are expressed (e.g., individualism vs. collectivism).

• Critics argue Ekman overemphasizes universality and neglects cognitive and cultural influences.

Cognitive Appraisal Theories

• Schachter and Singer's Two-Factor Theory:

  • Emotions arise from physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of that arousal.

  • Example: Heart racing can indicate either fear (bear) or excitement (roller coaster).

• Claus Scherer's Component Process Model:

  • Emotion unfolds through five appraisals:

    1. Relevance Appraisal (Importance to self).

    2. Causation Appraisal (What caused this?).

    3. Coping Potential Appraisal (Ability to handle this situation).

    4. Normative Significance Appraisal (Alignment with values/Social norms).

    5. Action Preparation Appraisal (Response planning).

• Critics of cognitive theories suggest they may ignore the immediacy of emotional reactions and cultural variances.

Constructed Emotion Theory (Lisa Feldman Barrett)

• Challenges the notion of universal emotions, proposing emotions are constructed based on personal and cultural experiences.

• Emotions are not prepackaged responses but are dynamic processes shaped by biological signals (affect), personal history, and social context.

• Affect:

  • Has two dimensions: Valence (pleasant/unpleasant) and Arousal (high/low).

  • Emotions can continuously shift, influenced by context and prior experiences.

• Critics argue the theory might overlook evolutionary aspects of emotions and general patterns of emotional expression across cultures.

Key Takeaways

• Emotions are complex and multifaceted to define and understand.

• Theories from Ekman, Schachter & Singer, and Barrett provide diverse perspectives on how emotions are experienced and expressed.

• No single theory fully encapsulates the essence of emotions, creating a richer, more nuanced understanding of emotional experiences in human life.

Review Questions

1. Which of the following is a component of affect?

   • A. Cognitive appraisal

   • B. Arousal

   • C. Anxiety

   • D. Cultural context

2. Which is not an example of an appraisal in Scherer's model?

   • A. Relevance appraisal

   • B. Cultural appraisal

   • C. Implication appraisal

   • D. Normative significance appraisal

Conclusion

• Emotions facilitate understanding and navigation in relationships and individual growth. Understanding different emotional models enhances personal and social interactions.