Figure 12-5 Theories of Emotion

I see a bear -> I tremble -> I am afraid Perception -> physical response ->

emotion

Argued that emotional experience is largely due to the experience of bodily changes

Emotions are a response to what is happening to the body

Value◦ – first attempt to explain the process◦ - includes an interpretation aspect

William James - Carl Lange

Real world Stimulus

Autonomic NS Responds

Autonomic NS sends info to cortex

Emotional feeling occurs

James - Lange Theory

View that different physical reactions lead to different emotional states

Support for theory◦In some situations our bodies display

autonomic responses that are later interpreted as a particular emotion Loud noise we jump we’re ready for action

◦We don’t respond the same way to all loud, sudden noises Loud crash, Baby crying, ambulance siren

◦Later studies showing different physical reactions to different emotions

James-Lange

Largely by Walter Cannon◦Cannon argued that physical changes

which lead to emotions do not occur fast enough for them to play the role that James suggests

◦The general level of arousal is the same regardless of the stimulus but results in different behaviors

◦Arousal itself does not produce an emotion it depends on processes occurring in the brain

James-Lange criticisms

Cannon and Bard challenged James-Lange theory Emotions do not come about as a response

to physical responses◦ Emotional expression results from action of

subcortical centers◦Thalamus plays a central role in passing

messages to the cortex concerning the feeling of emotion

◦Hypothalamus receives messages simultaneously from the thalamus and are then transmitted through to the body, leading to arousal

◦ Emotions and physical responses occur at the same time

◦ I see a bear -> I am afraid and tremble

Walter Cannon - Philip Bard

Key component is that when the thalamic discharge occurs, the bodily changes occur almost simultaneously with the emotional experience◦ Bodily changes and emotional experience occur

separately and independently of one another Value

◦ Early scientific look at emotions◦ Advanced understanding of process◦ Anticipated later explanations of the role of the

limbic system in emotion Problem

◦ Doesn’t include interpretative part of the process◦ In some ways a return to the common-sense view

Walter Cannon - Philip Bard (cont.)

Cannon - Bard Theory

Stimulus

Autonomic Arousal

Perception / Interpretation

EmotionalExperience

The first factor of the two factor theory is our aroused physiological state

The second factor is how we label it The two factor theory envisions emotions

as a sort of jukebox: you put your money in (which in this case is the physical arousal component) and then you select the song you want to play (this is the labeling part). 

“Knowing how you should be aroused

Two-Factor Theory or Cognitive labeling theory

Schachter-Singer Two-factor theory of emotion

Stimulus PerceptionInterpretation

Stimulus

Context

Autonomic Arousal

Emotional Experience

Feedback

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Pretty Woman asks men to take a survey At the end she gives them a number to call

if they want information about the survey Individuals at a street corner in Vancouver Individuals on the Capilano Suspension

Bridge Then count the number of individuals from

each group who call What is the control group? Experimental

group? IV? DV? Hypothesis? What do you predict will happen? What are some possible explanations?

Physiological: Autonomic ArousalCapilano Suspension Bridge Experiment

Some Evidence For Heightened Sexual Attraction Under Conditions Of High Anxiety◦ Donald G. Dutton and Arthur P. Aron◦ Journal of Personality and Social Psychology◦ http://

gaius.fpce.uc.pt/niips/novoplano/ps1/documentos/dutton&aron1974.pdf

Video - The Emotional Life – Racing Hearts◦ Dr. Art Aron discusses his Capilano Bridge experiment◦ http://video.pbs.org/video/1373962223/

Capilano Suspension Bridge is a perfect love laboratory◦ http://

www.straight.com/life/capilano-suspension-bridge-perfect-love-laboratory

Misattribution of arousal

What is self-awareness good for? It helps people recognize and manage fear, anger and other potentially destructive emotions. Studies show that when people distance themselves from upsetting feelings, the rational parts of their brains (light green) tamp down emotional ones such as the amygdala—and they feel better

Thinking before You reactSource: SA Mind July 2010Article “Me, Myself, and I” p.59-63

Facial Expressions (Ekman) Cross Cultural Differences in Emotional Experience

Evolutionary Basis of Emotion / Fundamental Emotions◦Silvan Tomkins, Carroll Izard, Robert Plutchik

Unit VIII. Motivation and Emotion 18

Communicating Emotions

Using the following examples of emotions, identify behavioral messages that might be associated with them and explain how they serve to tell others what we are gojng to do next.

Emotion Behavior - Message

Emotion Behaviors What is the message

Anger Clenching your fists

Be careful or I will hit you

DisgustFearJealousyJoyExcitementSadness

Nature of StressRole of AppraisalStressorsSources of Stress◦Frustration◦Conflict◦Change◦Pressure

Unit VIII. Motivation and Emotion 21

F. Stress

Social Support, Hardiness, Optimism Health Impairing Behavior

◦Smoking◦Poor Nutrition◦Lack of Exercise◦Alcohol and Drugs◦Unsafe Sex◦Lack of Sleep

Unit VIII. Motivation and Emotion 22

Factors Moderating Stress

Figure 14-1 The Diathesis-Stress Model

Unit VIII. Motivation and Emotion 25

“She wears glass slippers? This kind of aggravation I don’t need”

Emotional: ◦Anger, Fear, Sadness

Physical Stress Responses: ◦Fight or Flight◦General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Behavioral: ◦Aggression, Giving Up, Defensive Coping, Constructive Coping, Indulgence

Unit VIII. Motivation and Emotion 26

Reactions to Stress

Unit VIII. Motivation and Emotion 27

“Hey. I feel better already.”

Impaired task performance Burnout Posttraumatic Stress Disorders Stress and Health Type A Behavior / Heart Disease Stress and the Immune System

Unit VIII. Motivation and Emotion 28

Effects of Stress: