LOs 3.11 and 3.12 3.11: To what extent do cognitive and biological factors interact in emotion? 3.12: Evaluate one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process.

Pearson pp. 87-91 Crane pp. 88-92 Emotions consist of the following: 1) Physiological change 2) Person’s subjective feeling of an emotion 3) Associated Behavior Central to all this: Cognitive Appraisal – the Interpretation of the Event

Cognitive Appraisal & Fight or Flight A perceived dangerous event Triggers a physiological response – Fight or Flight- to confront or avoid. A cognitive appraisal – What to do based on previous experience

Ledoux – Model of biological pathways of emotion The Short Route – The Direct Pathway – Saves Time in Life or Death Situations The Long Route – The Indirect Pathway – More detailed examination Flexibility of responses

Lazarus (1982, 1991): The Appraisal Theory of Emotion The gist: As humans, we react to different situations with different emotions. Still, there is no set way we react to situations. We APPRAISE or evaluate situations according to how significant they are to us. Are the situations harmful or beneficial to us? This APPRAISAL (or cognitive action) determines our emotional state. Cognition (the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding) is essential to all emotional states.

Lazarus’ Types of Appraisal 1) Primary – Main idea: Is the situation personally relevant? A. Motivational relevance: Is it relevant to my goals? B. Motivational Congruence – Is it favorable to my goals? C. Accountability – Who is responsible for the situation? Outcome: Not full emotion but only positive/negative approach and avoidance response if necessary

Secondary Appraisal ***The experiencing of the actual emotion! Provides the coping actions! A. Problem-focused coping: Can I change it to cope with it? B. Emotion-focused coping: Can I change the way I feel about to change the situation? C. Future expectancy: To what extent can I expect the situation to change?

Last Points on Lazarus: The emotion is determined by the pattern of answers that individuals give relating to these six appraisal questions. The Core Relational Theme (CRT): the summary of all the appraisal judgments used to define specific emotions.

Scenario 1 You are late for a lesson. A student (ish your friend) stops you and blocks your way, doing it as a game. He continues for a good minute, you will be late. RESPONSE OR NOT? HOW DO YOU COPE? Problem focused Emotion focused Future Expectancy Motivational relevance – GOAL? Motivational congruence – FAVORABLE? Accountability – RESPONSIBLE?

Scenario 2 You get home after a long day at school. Your mom (or ayi…) has cooked you your favorite meal You’re so hungry and it smells great! RESPONSE OR NOT? HOW DO YOU COPE? Problem focused Emotion focused Future Expectancy Motivational relevance – GOAL? Motivational congruence – FAVORABLE? Accountability – RESPONSIBLE?

Scenario 3 Develop your own at your tables (or consider the scenario you have already used. Can this be described using multiple examples of our theories? Which one do you trust the most? Be ready to share

The Facial Feedback Theory Remember mirror neurons? – This theory suggest the same idea can occur at the subconscious level AND can link to emotional response or feeling Mrs. Carmody references this in terms of a ‘pop’ psychology standpoint by asking us to all “choose happy”. Task: With a partner, on of you look at your neighbor and smile. Consider the results.

Key Studies… Take a look at the document on Moodle regarding the studies mentioned. (Speisman, Ohman, Herrald and Tomaka) Complete your own key study sheet for the following to add to your notes: Schacter & Singer (1962) - take some time to consider the ‘critics’ of this theory as stated on page 88 of Pearson. Whalen et al (1998)

Herrald and Tomaka (2002) Physiological arousal of different emotions AIM METHOD FINDINGS CONCLUSION

Ohman (2000) Physiological arousal at the unconscious level AIM METHOD FINDINGS CONCLUSION A continuation with Whalen et al.

Speisman et al. (1964) The effects of arousal on autonomic arousal AIM METHOD FINDINGS CONCLUSION

Concluding Comments Key Points to Remember: 1) Cognitive and biological factors are essential to emotion. 2) Emotion cannot arise in the absence of cognition. 3) Appraisal can be done at the conscious or unconscious level.

Facial Feedback Theory Continuation of Whalen (to an extent this is used) Ekman (2003). Not a study, his published writings Matsumoto & Juang Gazzaniga Phelps You should be able to use the above ideas to explain to me how this works…and what SPECIFICALLY is the interaction in relation to this theory