Section 12: Emotion Psychology in Modules by Saul Kassin

©2006 Prentice HallEmotion The Physiological Component The Expressive Component The Cognitive Component Human Emotion: Putting the Pieces Together

©2006 Prentice Hall Emotion Three Components of Emotion §Emotion r A feeling state characterized by physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and a cognitive interpretation.

©2006 Prentice Hall The Physiological Component A Historical Perspective James-Lange Theory of Emotion Emotion arises from physiological arousalEmotion arises from physiological arousal Happiness comes from smilingHappiness comes from smiling Sadness comes from cryingSadness comes from crying

©2006 Prentice Hall The Physiological Component A Historical Perspective Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion Emotion originates in the thalamusEmotion originates in the thalamus “Body” (physiological systems) and “Mind” (emotional experience) are independently activated at the same time“Body” (physiological systems) and “Mind” (emotional experience) are independently activated at the same time

©2006 Prentice Hall The Physiological Component Brain Centers of Emotion Limbic SystemLimbic System The Amygdala is highly involved in fear responsesThe Amygdala is highly involved in fear responses Cerebral CortexCerebral Cortex Left hemisphere associated with positive emotions; right with negative emotionsLeft hemisphere associated with positive emotions; right with negative emotions

©2006 Prentice Hall The Physiological Component Generalized Autonomic Arousal The Autonomic Nervous System “Fight or Flight” Restore Calm

©2006 Prentice Hall The Physiological Component Specific Patterns of Arousal Polygraph Tests PolygraphPolygraph Records multiple channels of autonomic arousal and is often used as a lie-detector test.Records multiple channels of autonomic arousal and is often used as a lie-detector test. Scientific opinion is split regarding whether the polygraph works.Scientific opinion is split regarding whether the polygraph works.

©2006 Prentice Hall The Expressive Component Common “Emoticons”

©2006 Prentice Hall The Expressive Component Nonverbal Communication How Well do People Identify Emotions?

©2006 Prentice Hall The Expressive Component Nonverbal Communication The Facial EMG Electrodes placed on the face record activity in various muscles.Electrodes placed on the face record activity in various muscles. Positive emotions increase activity in cheeks.Positive emotions increase activity in cheeks. Negative emotions increase activity in forehead and brow areas.Negative emotions increase activity in forehead and brow areas. Electromyograph (EMG)

©2006 Prentice Hall The Expressive Component Sensory Feedback Facial-Feedback HypothesisFacial-Feedback Hypothesis The hypothesis that changes in facial expression can produce corresponding changes in emotionThe hypothesis that changes in facial expression can produce corresponding changes in emotion Zajonc, et al. had subjects repeat vowel sounds.Zajonc, et al. had subjects repeat vowel sounds. Making some sounds - “ah” and “e” - caused smiling and elevated mood.Making some sounds - “ah” and “e” - caused smiling and elevated mood. Making other sounds - “u” and “ü” - caused frowning and lowered mood.Making other sounds - “u” and “ü” - caused frowning and lowered mood.

©2006 Prentice Hall The Cognitive Component Schachter’s Two-Factor Theory of Emotion Physiological arousalPhysiological arousal Sweaty palmsSweaty palms Increased heart rateIncreased heart rate Rapid breathingRapid breathing Cognitive LabelCognitive Label Attribute source of arousal to a cause.Attribute source of arousal to a cause. To have an emotion, both factors are required.To have an emotion, both factors are required.

©2006 Prentice Hall The Cognitive Component Dimensions of Appraisal Cognitive dimensions closely linked to emotion:Cognitive dimensions closely linked to emotion: Pleasantness: Is event enjoyable?Pleasantness: Is event enjoyable? Attention: Is one focused on event?Attention: Is one focused on event? Agency: Does one believe he/she is in control?Agency: Does one believe he/she is in control? Certainty: How clear is situation and is outcome predictable?Certainty: How clear is situation and is outcome predictable?

©2006 Prentice Hall The Cognitive Component Counterfactual Thinking Imagining alternative scenarios and outcomes that might have happened but did notImagining alternative scenarios and outcomes that might have happened but did not Wondering “What if…?”Wondering “What if…?” More likely in response to negative eventsMore likely in response to negative events More likely when one is close to the other outcome (e.g., a lottery ticket with 4/5 winning numbers, a silver medalist, etc.)More likely when one is close to the other outcome (e.g., a lottery ticket with 4/5 winning numbers, a silver medalist, etc.)

©2006 Prentice Hall The Cognitive Component Is Cognition Necessary? Pathway of Fear Without “Thought” Sensation of threat can reach the amygdala via direct path from thalamusSensation of threat can reach the amygdala via direct path from thalamus The fast “low road”The fast “low road” Sensation of threat also travels from the thalamus to the cortexSensation of threat also travels from the thalamus to the cortex The slow “high road”The slow “high road” Cortical judgment can override direct pathCortical judgment can override direct path

The Cognitive Component Can People Predict Their Emotional States? Affective ForecastingAffective Forecasting The process by which people predict how they would feel in the future, after various positive and negative eventsThe process by which people predict how they would feel in the future, after various positive and negative events People have difficulty predicting their emotions in response to future events.People have difficulty predicting their emotions in response to future events. People overestimate the duration of their emotional reactions (durability bias).People overestimate the duration of their emotional reactions (durability bias).

©2006 Prentice Hall Human Emotion: Putting the Pieces Together Russell's Circumplex Model Which emotions are universal, felt in all cultures?Which emotions are universal, felt in all cultures? Fear, anger, joy, disgust, surprise, and sadnessFear, anger, joy, disgust, surprise, and sadness Russell identified two main dimensions of emotionRussell identified two main dimensions of emotion Emotions can be sorted according to these dimensions in several culturesEmotions can be sorted according to these dimensions in several cultures

©2006 Prentice Hall Human Emotion: Putting the Pieces Together Dynamics of Emotion Opponent-Process Theory of Emotion Every primary emotional state triggers its opposite, opponent state.Every primary emotional state triggers its opposite, opponent state. A positive emotional state is followed by a negative state, and vice versa.A positive emotional state is followed by a negative state, and vice versa. Emotional experience is balanced over time.Emotional experience is balanced over time.

©2006 Prentice Hall Human Emotion: Putting the Pieces Together Are There Gender Differences in Emotion? Little support exists that the sexes differ in their actual feelings in response to similar events.Little support exists that the sexes differ in their actual feelings in response to similar events. However, there are differences in the public display of emotion.However, there are differences in the public display of emotion. Women are more expressive than men are.Women are more expressive than men are.

©2006 Prentice Hall Human Emotion: Putting the Pieces Together Are There Cultural Differences in Emotion? Some aspects of emotion seem universal.Some aspects of emotion seem universal. However, cultures affect the categorization of emotions and the display rules that govern when and where emotions can be expressed.However, cultures affect the categorization of emotions and the display rules that govern when and where emotions can be expressed.

©2006 Prentice Hall Human Emotion: Putting the Pieces Together Pleasure and the Pursuit of Happiness Three predictive indicators of happiness are:Three predictive indicators of happiness are: Social relationshipsSocial relationships EmploymentEmployment Physical healthPhysical health

©2006 Prentice Hall Human Emotion: Putting the Pieces Together Pleasure and the Pursuit of Happiness National Happiness Ratings The happiness scale : very happy (4), quite happy (3), not very happy (2), or not at all happy (1).

©2006 Prentice Hall Human Emotion: Putting the Pieces Together Pleasure and the Pursuit of Happiness National Wealth and Happiness Over a 40-year period, Americans became over twice as wealthy, but no happier.

©2006 Prentice Hall Human Emotion: Putting the Pieces Together Pleasure and the Pursuit of Happiness Social-Comparison TheorySocial-Comparison Theory The theory that people evaluate themselves by making comparisons with othersThe theory that people evaluate themselves by making comparisons with others Adaptation-Level TheoryAdaptation-Level Theory The theory that people evaluate experiences in relation to current levels to which they have become accustomedThe theory that people evaluate experiences in relation to current levels to which they have become accustomed