Lecture 6_Emotion (1)

Page 1: Foundation Psychology

  • Introduction to Emotion in HPCS4004

Page 2: Affect

  • Definition: Experience of feelings

    • Types:

      • Emotions

      • Moods

      • Arousals

  • Emotions vs. Arousals:

    • Arousals: Physiological responses to stimuli (e.g., increased heart rate/breathing when facing danger)

Page 3: Emotions vs. Moods

  • Examples:

    • Feeling surprised by an unexpected prize (emotion)

    • Feeling blue upon waking (mood)

  • Comparison:

    • Emotions: Focused, clear causes, short-lived, intense

    • Moods: Less focused, unclear causes, lasting, less intense

Page 4: Components and Functions of Emotions

  • 3 Components of Emotions:

    • Subjective Experience

      • Awareness of feelings

    • Physiological Response

      • Autonomic changes

    • Behavioral/Expressive Response

      • Observable actions

  • Functions of Emotions:

    • Source of motivation (e.g., happiness encourages certain behaviors)

    • Role in decision-making (e.g., preference influences decisions)

Page 5: Major Perspectives on Emotions

  • 3 Major Perspectives:

    1. Darwinian / Evolutionary

    2. Physiological

    3. Cognitive

Page 6: Darwinian / Evolutionary Perspective

  • Survival Values:

    • Emotions have evolutionary significance (e.g., fear of predators, disgust from rotten food)

  • Paul Ekman's Research:

    • Universal emotional expressions across cultures indicating evolutionary origins

Page 7: Ekman's Basic Emotions

  • List of Basic Emotions:

    • Anger

    • Disgust

    • Fear

    • Happiness

    • Sadness

    • Surprise

Page 8: Evidence of Evolutionary Source

  • Universal Emotional Expressions:

    • Observed even in blind individuals

  • Distinguishing Emotions:

    • Ability to perceive subtle differences in emotional expressions without learning

Page 9: Display Rules

  • Display Rules:

    • Emotional expressions influenced by cultural norms

    • Example: Reserved expressions in Japanese culture

  • Cultural Differences:

    • Disgust of worms in some cultures versus acceptance in others (e.g., African tribes)

Page 10: N. H. Frijda's Perspective

  • Action Readiness:

    • Emotions prepare for action or withdrawal

  • Adaptive Responses:

    • Emotions help navigate environments and stimulate engagement in enjoyable activities

Page 11: Physiological Perspective - James-Lange Theory

  • James-Lange Theory:

    • Suggests that physiological arousal precedes emotional experience

  • Process:

    • Stimulus > bodily changes > emotion

Page 12: Emotion-Eliciting Stimuli

  • Bodily Changes:

    • Visceral and behavioral changes arise from stimuli

  • Understanding Emotions:

    • Bodily changes perceived as emotional experience

Page 13: Evidence for Physiological Perspective

  • PET Scanning:

    • Activity in somato-sensory cortex linked to emotional experiences noted before self-reporting of feelings

  • Facial Feedback Mechanism:

    • Engaging in specific postures could induce corresponding emotions

Page 14: Facial Feedback Hypothesis

  • Concept:

    • Facial muscles influence emotional recognition

  • Example:

    • Holding a pen enhances laughter response when reading comics

Page 15: Cannon-Bard Theory

  • Cannon-Bard Theory:

    • Critiques James-Lange; physiological and emotional responses happen concurrently

  • Process:

    • Stimulus leads to emotional experience and physiological change occurring simultaneously

Page 16: Emotion Processing

  • Simultaneous Responses:

    • Experiencing physiological changes alongside emotional responses (e.g., sweating and nervousness)

Page 17: Further Analysis of Physiological Perspective

  • Implication:

    • Physiological changes enhance emotional understanding but may not be the source of emotions

Page 18: Schachter & Singer's Two-Factor Theory

  • Essence:

    • Physiological arousal is essential while cognitive interpretation shapes emotional experience

Page 19: Emotion Interpretation

  • Experience Factors:

    • Emotional experience involves autonomic arousal and conscious interpretation

  • Example:

    • Racing heart leading to an interpretation of nervousness based on situational cues

Page 20: Cognitive Appraisal in Emotions

  • Cognitive Role:

    • Cognitions provide context for emotional labeling; misinterpretations can arise

Page 21: Emotional Variability

  • Varied Responses:

    • Same physiological response can lead to different emotions based on cognitive interpretation

Page 22: Theoretical Frameworks Overview

  • Common Sense vs. Theories:

    • Differentiation in emotion processing theories (James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, Schachter)

Page 23: Richard Lazarus' Cognitive Appraisal Theory

  • Appraisal Process:

    • Emotions arise from evaluating environmental transactions and are subjectively interpreted

Page 24: Primary and Secondary Appraisals

  • Appraisal Types:

    • Primary: assessing events as positive, negative, or neutral

    • Secondary: determining coping resources and options

Page 25: Cognitive Appraisals and Emotions

  • Individual Differences:

    • Different appraisals can lead to varying emotional outcomes based on personal goals and motives

Page 26: Which Perspective is Best?

  • Perspective Evaluation:

    • Each perspective offers unique insights on emotions (e.g., Darwinian for primal responses, Cognitive for complexity)

Page 27: Reflections on Emotion Management

  • Questions for Evaluation:

    • Usefulness of comforting phrases

    • Strategies for handling emotions and consequences of negative feelings

    • Evaluating emotions within societal and cultural contexts