Chapter 13 pt. 2: Physiology of Emotion, Detecting Lies, and Experiencing Emotion

Warm Up- Quick write

Read Pages 508-509 and answer the following question

Discuss the effectiveness if the polygraph in detecting lies.

The Physical Arousal of Emotion is Controlled by The Autonomic Nervous

System It is very difficult to differentiate the physical arousal associated with many emotions (hurts James-Lange Theory) even though they definitely feel different.

The arousal associated with emotions are controlled by the autonomic nervous system’s divisions the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Autonomic Nervous System’s Division

Autonomic nervous system controlsphysiological arousal

Sympatheticdivision (arousing)

Pupils dilate

Decreases

Perspires

Increases

Accelerates

Inhibits

Secrete stresshormones

Parasympatheticdivision (calming)

Pupils contract

Increases

Dries

Decreases

Slows

Activates

Decreasessecretion of

stress hormones

EYES

SALIVATION

SKIN

RESPIRATION

HEART

DIGESTION

ADRENALGLANDS

Arousal’s Impact on Performance Review:

What types of tasks are performed best with high amounts of arousal?

What types of tasks are performed bets with low amounts of arousal?

Arousal and Performance

Performancelevel

HighArousal

Low

Can Measuring Arousal Detect Lies?

Polygraph: machine commonly used to in attempts to detect lies.

Measures Physiological Responses to Emotion Including:

perspirationheart rateblood pressurebreathing changes

Questioning Process With The “Lie Detector”

1. Ask Control Question which you are most likely guilty of (Probable lie).–Have you ever stolen anything?

2. Ask Relevant Question that you are interested in.–Were you at the scene of the crime the

day of the murder? If there is a bigger physiological

reaction to the relevant question than the control question you are lying.

What Arguments Do Critics Make Against the “Lie

Detector?”

Accuracy of the Polygraph Is Between 70 & 90%

Is this a good level of accuracy? With 70% Accuracy:

–Assume 5% of 1000 employees actually guiltytest all employees285 will be wrongly accused

With 95% Accuracy:–Assume 1 in 1000 employees actually

guiltytest all employees (including 999 innocents)

50 wrongly declared guilty

Polygraph Accuracy StudyPercentage

Innocentpeople

Guiltypeople

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Judged innocent by polygraph

Judged guilty by polygraph

Detecting Emotion/Lies With Facial Expressions

Paul Ekman developed a system for classifying deception within emotional expression.

With experience and training it is possible to detect microexpressions which indicate guilt, despair, and fear.

Must play close attention to facial muscles which are nearly impossible to control.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Coming-up-on-60-Minutes/tabid/371/articleID/130930/Default.aspx http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS2mfWDryPE&feature=fvw  

Expressing Emotion: Gender Differences

Studies have found that women are better readers of emotional cues and have more emotional reactivity than men in all measures except for anger.

Men Women

Sad Happy ScaryFilm Type

Numberof

expressions

The Emotion of FearFear is an adaptive emotion

which helps prepare us for dangerous situations but which can also negatively impact us.

Some fears are more innate than others but there have been experiments which have shown fears can be learned.–Ex: Monkeys and snakes and Certain phobias

Biology of FearThe body’s control

center for learning/enacting fear is the amygdala.

Loss or damage to one’s amygdala has lead to fearlessness in some patients.

The Emotion of Anger: Is the Catharsis Theory True?Catharsis: refers to an

emotional release. The hypothesis argues that by releasing aggressive energy on can relieve their aggressive urges.

The Concept of Happiness

Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon: you will be helpful more often if you are in a good mood.

Subjective Well Being: most common measurement of happiness, satisfaction, and quality of life. Looks at physical as well as economic indicators.

Does Money Buy Happiness?

Year

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Averageper-person

after-tax incomein 1995 dollars Percentage

describingthemselves asvery happy

$20,000$19,000$18,000$17,000$16,000$15,000$14,000$13,000$12,000$11,000$10,000

$9,000$8,000$7,000$6,000$5,000$4,000

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Percentage very happy

Personal income

Does Focusing On the Benjamins Bring

Happiness?

MoneyLove

1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00Life satisfaction

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0

-0.2

-0.4

Importancescores

What Affects Happiness? Adaptation Level Phenomenon: our

tendency to form judgments about our happiness relative to our prior experience.

What Affects Happiness?Relative Deprivation: the

tendency to be disappointed with a situation when you perceive you are worse off than others.

Ex: Grade Distributions; Pro Athletes’ salaries.

Works opposite way too; feeling satisfied when comparing yourself to the less fortunate.

Predicting Happiness

Researchers Have Found ThatHappy People Tend to

Have high self-esteem (in individualistic countries)

Be optimistic, outgoing, and agreeable

Have close friendships or a satisfyingmarriage

Have work and leisure that engagetheir skills

Have a meaningful religious faith

Sleep well and exercise

However, Happiness Seems Not MuchRelated to Other Factors, Such as

Age

Gender (women are more often depressed, but also more often joyful)

Education levels

Parenthood (having children or not)

Physical attractiveness

Short Term Adaptation Level Theory

Opponent Process Theory of Emotion: is the idea that every emotion triggers an opposing emotion.

Ex: Pain of childbirth---->Euphoria