Learning About Emotions

What is Emotion ? “Any agitation or disturbance of mind, feeling, passion; any vehement or excited mental state”. (Oxford English Dictionary ) Emotion is an internal experience in response to internal / external stimuli. We experience feelings and show emotions

Moods & Temperament Moods – More muted but last longer, Anger Vs Irritable Mood Moody – More frequent shifts in feelings Temperament – Readiness to evoke a given mood or emotion – Melancholy, timid, cheerful

Positive Primary Emotions Other Descriptors Love/Affection Acceptance, (Shringar)adoration, longing, devotion, infatuation Happiness/JoyCheerfulness, (Hasya)contentment, bliss, delight, amusement, enjoyment, enthrallment, thrill, euphoria, zest SurpriseAmazement, (Adbhut)wonder, shock, astonishment

Negative Primary Emotions Other Descriptors FearAnxiety, Alarm, (Bhayanak)apprehension, concern, qualm, dread, fright, terror Sadness Grief, disappointment (Karuna)sorrow, gloom, despair, suffering, dejection AngerOutrage, exasperation (Rudra) wrath, indignation, hostility, irritability DisgustContempt, disdain, (Bibhatsa)abhorrence, revulsion distaste ShameGuilt, remorse, regret, embarrassment, humiliation

Nature of Emotions Emotions are inevitable A programmed response to a trigger Feelings are affected by learning Impact of past experience Emotions and aesthetics Showing of emotions is socially constructed Universality of emotional expression Object specific

Nature of Emotions Physiological arousal for different emotions Role of Beliefs in emotions Emotions are born out of relationships- open loop system Behaviors can affect emotions – smile feel happy What comes first – thoughts or feelings We can choose how we respond

Nature of Emotions Recovery function Time frame of emotions – Regret, Boredom, Anxiety Progression of emotions Emotional contagion Emotions considered inferior to reason Hiding our emotions Emotional Labour

Power of Emotions People are inherently emotional beings Glue that links us together Unleash energy in a person We are afraid of the power of emotions Overpower our rational brain Harness the rational mind to its purpose – rationalizations Affects our perception of reality Emotionally evocative images of products and causes Values are emotion laden

Power of Emotions Feelings for others lead to moral choices – Whistleblowers Impact of positive/negative moods Power of positive emotions Sharing feelings builds strong personal relationships Helps us in decision making – prioritise, provide profitable information Facilitate individual change Motivates – self-determination, optimism, passion Impact of our emotions on others

Power of Emotions Helps in influencing others, inspiring others and lead more effectively Without emotions, life will be colourless We all need emotional support Role of emotions in healing process Permeates organizational life – a social system

Emotional Awareness Scale 0 % Numbness (Alexithymia) Physical Sensation Primal Experience Differentiation Causality Empathy Interactivity 100 %

Structure of Brain Part Functions Rational Brain Seat of thought, puts (Neo-cortex) together and comprehends what senses perceive Limbic System Governs feelings, impulses and drives Amygdala Emotions associated with events /memory are stored here Primitive Brain Programmed for Or Brain Stem survival

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