I.
The Biology of Emotion
A.
Brain Mechanisms
1.
2.
B.
Autonomic Nervous System
1.
2.
II.
B.
2.
C.
Emotional stimulus causes physiological reaction
Physiological reaction produces emotion
"We are afraid because we run." "We feel sorry because we cry."
Cannon-Bard
1.
Thalamus relays emotional stimuli to cortex and internal organs
simultaneously
Emotional awareness and physiological changes occur at the same time
Cognition and Emotion - Schacter and Singer
1.
2.
3.
How we think about events affects the experience of the emotion
Physiological arousal is an undifferentiated state that we can be given
any of a number of labels
The labels we use to describe our emotions depend on our immediate
environment and what is on our mind at that particular moment
Expressing Emotion
A.
Facial Expressions - Ekman
1.
2.
B.
Universal occurrence of facial expressions of emotions
Facial expressions amplify and regulate the emotion
Culture and Emotional Expression
1.
2.
3.
IV.
The sympathetic nervous system releases acetylcholine that prepares
the body for vigorous activity
Examples include dilated pupils, increased respiration, and accelerated
heartbeat
Theories of Emotion
A.
James-Lange
1.
2.
3.
III.
Limbic system
a.
The amygdala appears to have an important role in emotions
b.
Amygdala removal in animals produces lack of fear and rage
responses
Hemispheres
a.
The right hemisphere is active during many displays of emotion
b.
Damage to the right hemisphere often leaves individuals
emotionally indifferent and unable to read emotions
The meaning of gestures varies with the emotion
Display rules
a.
Cultural norms that tell us which emotions we display
b.
Learned during childhood and act to exaggerate, minimize, or
mask emotional expressions
Expression of emotions depend on the situation and who is present
Experiencing Emotion
Seven recognized emotions: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise, and
contempt (Matsumoto, 1994)
A.
Fear
1.
2.
3.
Adaptive response preparing our bodies to flee danger
Acquired through classical conditioning (i.e., those reflecting our past
traumas)
Acquired through observational learning (i.e., those reflecting fears of
parents and friends)
4.
B.
Anger
1.
2.
3.
4.
C.
Biological predispositions (i.e., snakes, cliffs, spiders, not cars and
electricity)
Causes of anger
a.
Annoyances
b.
Foul odors
c.
Extreme temperatures
d.
Aches and pains
Catharsis hypothesis: reduction of anger by release through
aggressive actions
a.
Advantage: can be temporarily calming if it does not leave us
feeling guilty or anxious
b.
Disadvantage: expressing anger leads to more anger
Appropriate ways to channel anger
a.
Exercising
b.
Playing music
c.
Talking to a friend
No evidence to support
a.
Evidence supports the opposite of catharsis - an increase in
aggression
Happiness
1.
2.
3.
The adaptation-level principle: we adapt to levels of a stimulus and need
something even better to make us feel happy
The relative-deprivation principle: the sense that we are worse off than
others with whom we compare ourselves
Predictors of happiness:
a.
High self-esteem
b.
Outgoing
c.
Close relationships
d.
Work that engages
e.
Religious faith
f.
Sleeping well
g.
Exercise