(13) 4.8a Theories of Emotion

  • Emotion

    • A response of the whole organism, involving

      • 1.) Physiological Arousal

      • 2.) Expressive Behaviors

      • 3.) Conscious Experience

  • 1. Bodily Arousal → Emotion

    • Suggests that emotions follow bodily arousal

    • Ex. our heart racing after a threat and then feel afriad

  • 2. Bodily & Emotion happen at the same time

    • Ex. our heart races at the same time that we feel afraid

  • Bodily + Cognitive Label = Emotion

    • Emotion is the result of physiological arousal and a cognitive label; our interpretation of arousal determines the specific emotion we experience

  • Broaden-and Build Theory

    • Positive emotions help us think more openly and try new things, making us stronger

  • Facial Feedback Effect

    • Tendency of facial muscle to trigger feelings such as fear, anger, or happiness

  • Biofeedback Therapy

    • An individual learns how to change physiological activity for the purposes of improving health

  • Polygraphs

    • Measure several physiological indicators of emotion

  • Basic Emotions

    • Sadness, anger, fear, disgust, contempt, happiness, and surprise

  • Universal Emotions

    • Certain emotional expressions are recognized and experienced similarly across cultures

  • Display Rules

    • Different rules on displaying emotions depending on the situation