Motivation and Emotion


MOTIVATION AND EMOTION

Emotional Response to Events

  • Emotions can change instantly, particularly in response to unexpected events.

  • Example: Reactions to the April 15, 2013 Boston Marathon bombing included immediate emotions such as surprise, fear, anger, and sadness.

  • Questions to consider:

    • What are emotions?

    • What causes them?

    • What motivates certain individuals to help others while others flee for safety?

Today’s Agenda

  1. Emotions

  2. Theories of Emotions

  3. Biology of Emotions

  4. Function of Emotions

  5. Recognizing Emotions

  6. Emotion Regulation

Understanding Emotions

Influences on Emotional States

  • Begin with a reflective question: How are you feeling today?

  • Identify potential influences on feelings.

Distinction between Emotion and Mood

Mood

  • Definition: Prolonged, less intense affective state.

  • Characteristics:

    • Does not occur in direct response to an experience.

    • May not be consciously recognized or intentional.

Emotion

  • Definition: A subjective state of being used to describe our feelings.

  • Characteristics:

    • Relatively intense and occurs in response to an experience.

    • Consciously experienced and intentional.

  • Components of emotion:

    1. Physiological Arousal

    2. Psychological Appraisal

    3. Subjective Experience

    • Influenced by backgrounds and cultures.

Nature of Emotions

  • Toddlers demonstrate rapid emotional cycling, oscillating between extreme happiness and sadness.

Defining Emotions

Basic Emotions

  • Universally recognized human emotions as identified by psychologist Paul Ekman:

    1. Happiness

    2. Sadness

    3. Fear

    4. Anger

    5. Surprise

    6. Disgust

Self-Conscious Emotions

  • Definition: Emotions needing a sense of self and reflection on one’s actions.

  • Examples include shame, guilt, and embarrassment.

  • Role: Important for social regulation, personal growth, and moral behavior.

Further Understanding Emotions

Characteristics of Emotions

  1. Generally temporary.

  2. Emotionally charged; can be positive or negative.

  3. Emotional experience can alter cognition (e.g., impact on attention).

  4. Triggers action tendencies leading to behaviors consistent with emotions.

Review of Emotions

  • Emotion as a subjective state describing current feelings.

  • Important distinction to recognize between emotions and moods.

Theories of Emotion

Overview of Theories of Emotion

  1. James-Lange Theory

    • Proposes that emotions follow physiological arousal.

    • Example: Encounter a snake → experience physiological arousal (increased heartbeat) → feel fear.

  2. Cannon-Bard Theory

    • Suggests simultaneous yet independent physiological arousal and emotional experience.

    • Example: Encounter a snake → both physiological arousal and feeling of fear happen simultaneously.

    • Findings indicate spinal cord injury patients experience emotion intensity changes without direct physiological feedback.

  3. Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory

    • Suggests emotions are comprised of physiological arousal and cognitive perception.

    • Example: Encounter a snake → physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation lead to labeling the experience (e.g., fear).

    • Cognitive appraisal crucial for differentiation in emotional experience (labeling as joy vs. fear).

  4. Lazarus' Cognitive-Mediational Theory

    • Proposes that emotional responses occur after appraisal of a stimulus.

    • Appraisal process takes place subconsciously before emotional labelling.

Polygraphs and Their Efficacy

Detecting Lies with Polygraphs

  • Polygraph, often termed lie detector, continues to be utilized by law enforcement, despite limitations in court.

  • Claims to have an accuracy rate of 85-95%, yet critics argue against scientific reliability.

  • Measures include:

    • Body movements

    • Breathing

    • Skin perspiration

    • Pulse and blood pressure

How Polygraphs Function

  1. Body changes are assessed while responding to yes/no questions.

    • Equipment includes:

      1. Blood pressure cuff

      2. Rubber tubes for breathing measurement

      3. Metal sensors for sweat measurement

The Biology of Emotions

Limbic System and Emotional Processing

  • The limbic system serves as a hub for emotional response and memory.

  • Key structures:

    • Hypothalamus: Activates the sympathetic nervous system (part of emotional reactions).

    • Thalamus: Sensory relay center connecting to the amygdala and cortical regions.

    • Amygdala: Crucial for processing emotional data and informing other brain structures.

    • Hippocampus: Integrates emotional states with cognitive functions.

Amygdala Functionality

  • Central to fear and anxiety research.

  • Comprised of the basolateral complex and central nucleus:

    • Basolateral Complex: Key for classical conditioning and assigning emotional value to memories.

    • Central Nucleus: Regulates attention and connects with the hypothalamus for autonomic and endocrine system responses.

Functions of Emotions

Purpose of Emotions

  • Emotions function to:

    1. Prepare us for action (e.g., anxiety, anger for survival).

    2. Help cope with daily challenges (e.g., gratitude, determination).

    3. Motivate actions (e.g., curiosity, boredom).

    4. Aid memory of specific situations and people (e.g., anxiety, delight).

    5. Facilitate communication through emotional expressions (e.g., anger, guilt).

Communication of Emotions

  • Non-verbal cues include:

    • Facial expressions

    • Body language

    • Vocal tone

    • Behavioral actions and contextual signals

Recognizing Emotions

Emotional Recognition Challenges

  • Emotional expressions often present in blended forms.

  • Cultural factors greatly influence how emotions are expressed and recognized.

Cultural Display Rules

  • Definitions: Culturally specific norms governing emotion expression frequency and type.

    • Residents of the U.S. might express negative emotions openly; contrast with Japanese culture where such emotions might be concealed in social settings.

  • Regardless of cultural context, recognition of basic facial expressions is nearly universal.

Cultural Differences and Nonverbal Signals

  • Example gestures across cultures:

    • American and Latin-American waves can convey various meanings.

    • Eye contact expectations differ markedly between Western and Asian cultures.

    • The meaning of pointing varies internationally.

Universal Facial Expressions of Emotion

  • Seven emotions universally recognized through facial expression:

    1. Happiness

    2. Surprise

    3. Sadness

    4. Fear

    5. Disgust

    6. Contempt

    7. Anger

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Overview

  • Theory stating facial expressions can influence emotional states.

  • Support evidence: Depressed individuals report reduced symptoms when frowning muscles are paralyzed (using Botox).

  • Proposed sequence: emotional stimulus → facial expression → physiological arousal → emotional experience.

Activities and Participation

Emotion-Themed Group Activity

  • Each participant devises 3 statements (2 truths, 1 lie).

  • Collaborate in groups to identify the lies based on physiological cue observation.

Emotion Regulation

Definition and Process

  • Emotion Regulation: The cognitive and behavioral attempts to modify emotional responses.

    • Can occur before and after emotional experiences.

Signs of Emotional Dysregulation

  • Indicators include:

    1. Overly intense feelings.

    2. Impulsive actions.

    3. Lack of self-awareness regarding emotions.

    4. Difficulty in decision-making.

    5. Inadequate behavior management.

    6. Tendency to avoid challenging emotions.

Guided Relaxation Techniques

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

  • Utilized for anxiety management within therapeutic contexts.

Summary Questions on Emotion

  1. What is an emotion, and how does it differ from mood?

  2. Compare and contrast basic versus self-conscious emotions.

  3. What components form the basis of emotions?

  4. Discuss various theories outlining the origins of emotions.

  5. Why are emotions significant?

  6. Describe emotion regulation and its importance.

  7. Identify brain regions associated with emotional processing.

Review from Previous Class

  • Episode 17: THE POWER OF MOTIVATION