Theories and Physiology of Emotion Module 31 Theories and Physiology of Emotion Josef F. Steufer/Getty Images

Theories and Physiology of Emotion Emotion: Arousal, Behavior, and Cognition 31-1: HOW DO AROUSAL, EXPRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, AND COGNITION INTERACT IN EMOTION? Emotion a response of the whole organism, involving (1) physiological arousal, (2) expressive behaviors, and (3) conscious experience Emotions are adaptive responses that support survival Emotions are a mix of: Bodily arousal (heart pounding) Expressive behaviors (quickened pace) Conscious experience (both thoughts and feelings)

Theories and Physiology of Emotion Emotion: Arousal, Behavior, and Cognition Theories of emotion generally address two major questions: Does physiological arousal come before or after the emotional feelings? How do thinking (cognition) and feeling interact? Historical emotion theories, as well as current theories, have sought to answer these questions.

Theories and Physiology of Emotion Emotion: Arousal, Behavior, and Cognition Historical Emotion Theories James-Lange Theory: Arousal comes before emotion Experience of emotion involves awareness of our physiological responses to emotion-arousing stimuli Cannon-Bard Theory: Arousal and emotion happen at the same time Emotion-arousing stimulus simultaneously triggers (1) physiological responses and (2) the subjective experience of emotion Human body responses run parallel to the cognitive responses rather than causing them If our bodily responses and emotional experiences occur simultaneously and independently, as the Cannon-Bard theory suggested, then people who suffer spinal cord injuries should not notice a difference in their experience of emotion after the injury. But there are differences: Emotions are not just a separate mental experience. When our body responses are blocked, such as the case with high spinal cord injury, emotions such as anger do not feel as intense.

Theories and Physiology of Emotion Emotion: Arousal, Behavior, and Cognition Schachter-Singer’s Two-Factors: Arousal + Label = Emotion 31-2: TO EXPERIENCE EMOTIONS, MUST WE CONSCIOUSLY INTERPRET AND LABEL THEM? Two-factor theory: The Schachter-Singer theory that to experience emotion one must (1) be physically aroused and (2) cognitively label the arousal. Emotions have two ingredients: Physical arousal and cognitive appraisal. Arousal fuels emotion; cognition channels it. Emotional experience requires a conscious interpretation of arousal. Spillover effect: Spillover arousal from one event to the next—influencing a response. In a study by Stanley Schachter and Jerome Singer in 1962, subjects experienced a spillover effect when arousal was caused by injections of epinephrine. The subjects interpreted their agitation to whatever emotion the others in the room appeared to be feeling; the emotional label “spilled over” from others.

The Spillover Effect Arousal from a soccer match can fuel anger, which can descend into rioting or other violent confrontations.

Theories and Physiology of Emotion Emotion: Arousal, Behavior, and Cognition Zajonc, LeDoux, and Lazarus: Does Cognition Always Precede Emotion? Zajonc and LeDoux Sometimes emotional response takes neural shortcut that bypasses the cortex and goes directly to amygdala. Some emotional responses involve no deliberate thinking. Lazarus Brain processes much information without conscious awareness, but mental functioning still takes place. Emotions arise when an event is appraised as harmless or dangerous. Richard Lazarus (1922-2002) notes that some “top-down” cognitive functions such as threat-appraisal can be involved, but these emotional responses can still operate without conscious thought. Joseph LeDoux (b. 1949) and Robert Zajonc (1923–2008) proposed their ideas in the second half of the 20th century. Lazarus agreed that many important emotions arise from our interpretations or inferences. Zajonc and LeDoux; however, believe that some simple emotional responses occur instantly, not only outside our conscious awareness, but before any cognitive processing occurs. This interplay between emotion and cognition illustrates our two-track mind. .

The Brain’s Pathways for Emotions The two-track brain processes sensory input on two different pathways. (a) Some input travels to the cortex (via the thalamus) for analysis and is then sent to the amygdala. (b) Other input travels directly to the amygdala (via the thalamus) for an instant emotional reaction.

Two Pathways for Emotions Theories and Physiology of Emotion Emotion: Arousal, Behavior, and Cognition Zajonc, LeDoux, and Lazarus: Does Cognition Always Precede Emotion? Two Pathways for Emotions Zajonc and LeDoux emphasized that some emotional responses are immediate, before any conscious appraisal. Lazarus, Schachter, and Singer emphasized that our appraisal and labeling of events also determine our emotional responses.

Theories and Physiology of Emotion Embodied Emotion The Basic Emotions 31-3: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BASIC EMOTIONS? Carroll Izard (1977) isolated 10 basic emotions that include physiology and expressive behavior. These basic emotions are joy, interest-excitement, surprise, sadness, anger, disgust, contempt, fear, shame, and guilt. These emotions are mostly present in infancy. Others suggest that pride and love are also distinct emotions; Izard argues these are combinations of the basic 10.

Some Naturally Occurring Infant Emotions To identify the emotions present from birth, Carroll Izard analyzed the facial expressions of infants.

Theories and Physiology of Emotion Embodied Emotion Emotions and the Autonomic Nervous System 31-4: WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN EMOTIONAL AROUSAL AND THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM? The arousal component of emotion is regulated by the autonomic nervous system’s sympathetic (arousing) and parasympathetic (calming) divisions. In a crisis, the fight-or-flight response automatically mobilizes the body for action. The ANS mobilizes body for action with stress hormones from adrenal glands, sugar from liver into bloodstream, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and slowed digestion. When crisis passes, the parasympathetic division of your ANS calms your body and hormones gradually leave bloodstream.

Emotional Arousal Like a crisis control center, the autonomic nervous system arouses the body in a crisis and calms it when danger passes.

Theories and Physiology of Emotion Embodied Emotion The Physiology of Emotions 31-5: DO DIFFERENT EMOTIONS ACTIVATE DIFFERENT PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BRAIN-PATTERN RESPONSES? Different emotions have subtle indicators. Brain scans and EEGs reveal different brain circuits for some different emotions Depression and general negativity: Right frontal lobe activity Happiness, enthusiastic, and energized: Left frontal lobe activity But it can be difficult to discern physiological differences among fear, anger, and sexual arousal; different emotions can share common biological signatures

Theories and Physiology of Emotion Embodied Emotion Lie Detection 31-6: HOW EFFECTIVE ARE POLYGRAPHS IN USING BODY STATES TO DETECT LIES? Polygraph A machine commonly used in attempts to detect lies Measures several of the physiological responses accompanying emotion Physiological responses include perspiration and cardiovascular breathing changes

Can a Lie Detector Reveal Lies? In one study, polygraph experts interpreted the polygraph data of 100 people who had been suspects in theft crimes (Kleinmuntz & Szucko, 1984). Half the suspects were guilty and had confessed; the other half turned out to be not guilty. Had the polygraph experts been the judges, more than one-third of the innocent would have been declared guilty, and one-fourth of the guilty would have been declared not guilty. Critics point out two problems with polygraph tests: First , our physiological arousal is much the same from one emotion to another. Anxiety, irritation, and guilt all prompt similar physiological reactivity. Second , many innocent people do respond with heightened tension to the accusations implied by the critical questions. The use of guilty knowledge questions and new forms of technology may produce better indications of lying.