Chapter 12: Emotion. Chapter Outline 1. What is emotion? 2. Theories of emotion 3. Emotion: How we...

Chapter 12: Emotion

Chapter Outline

1. What is emotion?2. Theories of emotion3. Emotion: How we develop4. Emotion: What happens in the brain?5. What about positive emotions?6. The range of emotional experience: How we

differ7. Disorders of emotion: When things go wrong

© John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd.

What Is Emotion?

Emotion—an intrapersonal state in response to an internal or external event Three components of emotion:

1. Physiological—bodily arousalHeart rate, temperature, and breathing

changes2. Cognitive—subjective appraisal and

interpretation of one’s feelings and environment

3. Behavioural—physical expression of the emotionVerbal or non-verbal emotional expressions


What Is Emotion?


Three Ways to Measure Emotions

Behavioural displays of emotion

Observe and rate facial expressions and verbal expressions of emotion

Self-reports of emotion Widely used but has

low validity. Why? Psychophysiological

reactionso Face electromyographyo Heart rateo Skin conductanceo Startle reflex


Functions of Emotions

Cognitive functions Emotions help organize and retrieve memories Guide judgments and help us make decisions

Behavioural functions Emotions alter behaviours

Action tendencies—emotions are associated with predictable patterns of behaviour

Social functions Emotions both help and inhibit relationships


Theories of Emotion

James-Lange Theory—the physiological response we experience to an event is interpreted by us as an emotion

Cannon-Bard Theory—the experience of emotion and bodily arousal occur simultaneously

Schachter and Singer’s Two-Factor Theory—it is the way you interpret the physiological reaction that determines the emotion


Theories of Emotion


Testing the Two-Factor Theory


Capilano Suspension Bridge, Arousal, and Physical Attraction


Other Theories of Emotion

Cognitive-mediational theory—cognitive appraisal affects not only how we interpret physical arousal, but also the level of arousal Lazarus Cognitive appraisal is a cognitive mediator between

environmental stimuli and our reaction to those stimuli Facial-feedback theory—facial expressions both

express emotions and intensify physiological response to emotions Facial efference—sensory feedback from facial

muscular activity


Testing the Facial-Feedback Theory


Duchenne Smile

Which is the Duchenne smile?


Survival Function of Emotions

Evolutionary theory—emotions are innate, passed through generations because they are necessary for survival Basic emotions—innate and present regardless of culture


Emotion: How We Develop

Lewis’s cognitive theory of emotional development Certain emotional states can occur only after

associated cognitive abilities develop: Perceive and discriminate stimuli Recall and relate memories to events Be aware of self and others

Izard’s differential emotions theory Emotions aid in development and emerge as a result

of cognitive development Achieving emotional milestones encourages

exploratory behaviour, thus leading to future milestones


Development of Emotions

Age Development of Primary Emotions

Development of Secondary Emotions

0–8 months Anger, happiness, sadness, surprise, disgust, fear

18–24 months

Envy, empathy, and embarrassment

24–36 months

Pride, shame, and guilt


Emotion: What Happens in the Brain?

Early theories Limbic system–brain structures thought to collectively

create emotions Current research

Emotional processes are controlled by multiple areas of the brain Amygdala

Conditioning and recognizing fear Cerebral cortex

Both positive and negative emotions Prefrontal cortex

Involved in coordinating emotional responses, an emotional guide


The Brain and Emotion


The Brain’s Shortcut for Fear


What About Positive Emotions?

Positive psychology—study and enrichment of: Positive feelings—happiness, optimism Positive traits—wisdom, motivation Positive abilities—social skills Virtues—altruism, tolerance

Interesting findings: Happy people tend to stay happy, even with

life’s ups and downs Unhappy people tend to find little long-term

happiness in positive events


Happiness Levels Around the World


Happiness

Genetic component Twin studies

Past happiness is the best predictor of future happiness

Happy people Optimistic, outgoing, curious, and tender-minded

Longitudinal study—highly optimistic people had a 55 %reduced risk of death and a 23% reduced risk of heart problems

Have high self-esteem, are spiritual, are goal directed, have a sense of perseverance and of control over their lives


The Range of Emotional Experience

Features of emotional responding Emotional clarity—ability to accurately

identify and distinguish one’s emotions Attention to emotions—tendency to take

notice of, value, and focus on one’s emotions Emotional intensity—strength with which an

individual typically experiences emotion Stable trait Moderate emotional intensity is the ideal

level in most circumstances


Regulation of Emotions

Regulating emotions is necessary to function effectively Begins early in life Influenced by temperament, models, and

stressors Develop adaptive or maladaptive styles of

regulation Emotion dysregulation—unhealthy

attempt at emotion regulation Suppressing emotions is only beneficial in

the short term


Gender Differences in Emotion

Display rules—cultural expectations regarding the expression of emotions for men and women Many male-female differences in emotionality

disappear when display rules are removed


Cultural and Ethnic Differences in Emotion

Facial expressions and the interpretation of facial expressions are generally consistent across cultures

Language describing emotions differ in some cultures

Differences are commonly associated with display rules


Dialects and Facial Expressions of Emotion

Does your face have an accent?


Disorders of Emotion:When Things Go Wrong

Emotional clarity Alexithymia—unable to identify or describe emotions

Attention to emotions Hypervigilant—pay too much attention to emotions,

associated with anxietyEmotional intensity

Antisocial personality disorder—experience little or no anxiety or guilt as a result of their actions

Regulation of emotions Borderline personality disorder—severe inability to

regulate intense emotions


Anxiety Disorders

Phobias Unreasonable fear of something specific Intense, persistent, and disruptive Arachnophobia (spider) most common

Generalized anxiety disorder Excessive anxiety all the time (chronic

worrying)


Anxiety Disorders

Panic disorder Experience repeated panic attacks—

periodic bouts of panic often occurring without provocation and involving physical symptoms that can feel like a heart attack

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Compulsions—rigid, repetitive behaviours

performed to reduce anxiety Obsessions—persistent thoughts, ideas,

and impulses that are excessive, cause great distress, take up much time, and interfere with daily functions


Mood Disorders

Depression—feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, resulting in a markedly sad state

Mania—euphoric state, frenzied energyUnipolar depression

Just depression (lows) More common than bipolar

Bipolar disorder Used to be called manic depression Periods of mania alternate with periods of

depression


Well-Known Canadians and Depression

Jim Carrey Leonard Oscar Lopez Alanis

Cohen Morisette


Copyright

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted by Access Copyright (The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency) is unlawful. Requests for further information should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd. The purchaser may make back-up copies for his or her own use only and not for distribution or resale. The author and the publisher assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or damages caused by the use of these programs or from the use of the information contained herein.

Chapter 12: Emotion. Chapter Outline 1. What is emotion? 2. Theories of emotion 3. Emotion: How we...

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