Figure 12-5 Theories of Emotion

1. Figure 12-5 Theories of Emotion

2. William James - Carl Lange • 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

3. James - Lange Theory

4. James-Lange • 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

5. James-Lange criticisms • 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

6. Walter Cannon - Philip Bard • 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

7. Walter Cannon - Philip Bard (cont.) • 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

8. Cannon - Bard Theory Stimulus Perception / Interpretation Autonomic Arousal Emotional Experience

9. Two-Factor Theory or Cognitive labeling theory • 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

10. Schachter-Singer Two-factor theory of emotion Autonomic Arousal Stimulus Stimulus Perception Interpretation Context Emotional Experience Feedback

12. Capilano Suspension Bridge

14. Physiological: Autonomic ArousalCapilano Suspension Bridge Experiment • 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?

15. Misattribution of arousal • 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

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

18. Communicating Emotions • Facial Expressions (Ekman) • Cross Cultural Differences in Emotional Experience • Evolutionary Basis of Emotion / Fundamental Emotions • Silvan Tomkins, Carroll Izard, Robert Plutchik

19. Emotion Behavior - Message • 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.

21. F. Stress • Nature of Stress • Role of Appraisal • Stressors • Sources of Stress • Frustration • Conflict • Change • Pressure

22. Factors Moderating Stress • Social Support, Hardiness, Optimism • Health Impairing Behavior • Smoking • Poor Nutrition • Lack of Exercise • Alcohol and Drugs • Unsafe Sex • Lack of Sleep

24. Figure 14-1 The Diathesis-Stress Model

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

26. Reactions to Stress • Emotional: • Anger, Fear, Sadness • Physical Stress Responses: • Fight or Flight • General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) • Behavioral: • Aggression, Giving Up, Defensive Coping, Constructive Coping, Indulgence

27. “Hey. I feel better already.”

28. Effects of Stress: • Impaired task performance • Burnout • Posttraumatic Stress Disorders • Stress and Health • Type A Behavior / Heart Disease • Stress and the Immune System