Emotions

A notoriously slippery thing to define. EMOTION A notoriously slippery thing to define.

EMOTION A state of arousal involving: Facial and bodily changes Brain activation Cognitive appraisals Subjective feelings Tendencies toward action Shaped by cultural rules

Primary Emotions Emotions considered to be universal and biologically based, usually thought to include: Fear Anger Sadness Joy Surprise Disgust Contempt

Secondary emotion Emotions that develop with cognitive maturity and vary across individuals and cultures. For example: Love Jealousy Suspicion Envy Shame Guilt Loneliness

Universal Expressions of Emotion Facial expressions for primary emotions are universal. Even members of remote cultures can recognize facial expressions in people who are foreign to them. Infants are able to read parental expressions. Facial expressions can generate same expressions in others, creating mood contagion.

The Brain and Emotion The amygdala Responsible for assessing threat. Damage to the amygdala results in abnormality in processing fear.

The Brain and Emotion Left prefrontal cortex Right prefrontal cortex Involved in motivation to approach others. Damage to this area results in loss of joy. Right prefrontal cortex Involved in withdrawal and escape. Damage to this area results in excessive mania and euphoria.

Hormones and Emotion When experiencing an intense emotion, two hormones are released. Epinephrine Norepinephrine Results in increased alertness and arousal. At high levels, can create sensation of being out of control emotionally.

Culture and Emotion Culture determines what people feel angry, sad, lonely, happy, ashamed lonely, happy, ashamed or disgusted about. Some cultures have words for specific emotions. E.g., German schadenfreudeis = enjoyment taken from the misfortune of someone else. Some cultures don’t have words for emotions that seem universal to others. E.g., Tahitian no word for sadness

Emotional Regulation Display rules Emotion work Body language When, where, and how emotions are to be expressed or when they should be squelched. Emotion work Acting out an emotion we do not feel or trying to create the right emotion for the occasion. Body language The nonverbal signals of body movement, posture, and gaze that people constantly express.

Emotion and Gender Women recall emotional events more intensely and vividly than do men. Men experience emotional events more intensely than do women. Conflict is physiologically more upsetting for men than for women.

Possible Reasons Males’ autonomic nervous system is more reactive than females’. Men are more likely to rehearse angry thoughts, thus maintaining anger. Women are more likely to ruminate, thus maintaining depression.

Sensitivity to others’ Emotions Factors influencing one’s ability to “read” emotional signals: The sex of the sender and receiver. How well the sender and receiver know each other. How expressive the sender is. Who has the power. Stereotypes and expectations.

Emotion and Gender Men and women appear to differ in the types of everyday events that provoke anger. Women become angry over issues related to their partners’ disregard. Men become angry over damage to property or problems with strangers

Emotion and Gender Women work hard at appearing warm, happy, and making sure others are happy. Men work hard at persuading others they are stern, aggressive, and unemotional.

Factors Influencing Emotional Expressiveness Gender roles Cultural norms The specific situation

“Let It Out” or “Bottle It Up”? Despite pop-psych views that anger should be expressed rather than bottled up, research shows that expressing anger does not get rid of it; expressing anger often prolongs it.

Anger In our society, anger is viewed as an immature or uncivilized response to frustration, threat, violation, or loss of control. Keeping calm, coolheaded, or turning the other cheek is considered more socially acceptable. People tend to express their anger either passively or aggressively.

Passive Anger Secretive behavior, such as resentments that are expressed behind people’s backs, giving the silent treatment or under the breath mutterings, avoiding eye contact, putting people down, gossiping, anonymous complaints, stealing, and conning. Manipulation, such as provoking people to aggression and then patronizing them, provoking aggression but staying on the sidelines, emotional blackmail, false tearfulness, using a third party to convey negative feelings, withholding money or resources. Dispassion, such as giving the cold shoulder or phony smiles, looking cool, sitting on the fence while others sort things out. Evasiveness, such as turning your back in a crisis, avoiding conflict.

Aggressive Anger Threats, such as frightening people by saying how you could harm them, their property or their prospects. Hurtfulness, such as physical violence, verbal abuse, using foul language. Destructiveness, such as destroying property or objects, harming animals. Bullying, such as threatening people directly, persecuting, pushing or shoving shouting, playing on people’s weaknesses. Unjust blaming, such as accusing other people for your own mistakes, blaming people for your own feelings, making general accusations. Selfishness, such as ignoring other’s needs, not responding to requests for help. Vengeance, such as being over-punitive. Unpredictability, such as explosive rages over minor frustrations, attacking indiscriminately, inflicting harm on others for the sake of it.

Anger Management Tips Take a "time out" Counting to 10 before reacting Leaving the situation Do something physically exerting Go for a brisk walk or a run, swim, lift weights or shoot baskets. Find ways to calm and soothe yourself. Deep-breathing exercises, visualize a relaxing scene, or repeat a calming word or phrase to yourself, such as "take it easy." Listen to music, paint, write a journal or do yoga.

Assertive Communication Use "I" statements when describing the problem to avoid criticizing or placing blame. For instance: "I'm upset you didn't help with the housework this evening" Instead of: "You should have helped with the housework"

Other Remedies Learn to forgive Use humor Keep an anger journal or log Will help to identify situations that set you off and to monitor your reactions. Practice relaxation techniques

The Complex Emotion of Anger Angered Insulted Outraged Furious Offended Resented Exasperated Displeasured Disappointed Animosity Hostile Hatred Infuriated Enraged Outraged Inflamed Provoked Exasperated Irritated Annoyed Antagonized Bitter

The Complex State of Joy Happy Amused Delighted Euphoric Enthusiastic Triumphant Cheerful Eager Jubilant Hopeful Jovial Elated Exhilarated Pleasured Excited Joyful Ecstatic Glad Satisfied Thrilled