Chapter 13

Experiencing Emotion

Experienced Emotion

Psychologists have identified basic emotions: Fear Anger Sadness Disgust Interest Surprise Joy

Experienced Emotion

Infants’ naturally occurring emotions

We will focus on three

FearAngerHappiness

Experienced Emotion: Fear

Learning Fear We learn some

fears through our own experiences

But we learn most through observation

Experienced Emotion: Fear

Biology and Fear We are predisposed

to learn some fears faster than others

We will more quickly learn fears of things that were threatening to our ancestors

Experienced Emotion: Fear

The Amygdala--a neural key to fear learning

Experienced Emotion: Anger

What makes us angry?

What do we do with our anger?

What makes us angry?

Most of us become at least mildly angry once or twice a week

Actions that seem willful, unjustified, and avoidable

Blameless annoyances

What do we do with our anger?

Catharsis Expressing/

releasing anger is the key to removing hostility

We are conditioned to vent because it has worked in the past

What is the best way to handle anger?

Appropriate expression of anger is healthy

Waiting makes an appropriate response more likely

Express a grievance in ways that promote reconciliation

Experienced Emotion: Happiness

Your level of happiness colors everything you do Feel-good, do-good phenomenon

People who are happy tend to want to help others more

Experienced Emotion: Happiness

Your level of happiness colors everything you do Feel-good, do-good phenomenon Subjective well-being

self-perceived happiness or satisfaction with life

Temporary moods

Experienced Emotion: Happiness

Your level of happiness colors everything you do Feel-good, do-good phenomenon Subjective well-being Long-term well being

Tragedy is not permanently depressingHappy events are temporary

What determines our happiness?

Adaptation level principle Our tendency to judge various stimuli

relative to those we have previously experienced

Our “neutral” happiness is constantly changing

What determines our happiness?

Relative deprivation principle Happiness is relative to the success and

failure of othersGenerally happy people tend to compare

themselves to those less fortunateGenerally miserable people tend to

compare themselves to those more fortunate

Predictors of Happiness

Happiness is related to Self-esteem Optimistic outlook Closeness of relationships Meaningful religious faith Adequate sleep Exercise Meaningful work and leisure

Predictors of Happiness

Happiness is not related to Age Gender Education level Parenthood Physical attractiveness Money?

How do we experience emotion?

Three components to emotion

physiological arousalexpressive behaviorsconscious experience