Emotions & Stress (Emotion)

Theories of Emotion James - Lange Theory Cannon - Bard Theory Two Factor Theory

James Lange Theory Body response precedes emotion

Cannon - Bard Theory Body response and emotion occur simultaneously

Two Factor Theory Emotion = body response + cognitive interpretation

Theories of Emotion (Summary)

Cognition and emotion Robert Zajonc (Zi-yence) –We feel before we think –Emotions can occur without conscious thinking

Ingredients of Emotion

Measuring Emotions

The polygraph Measures changes in: –Breathing –Heart rate (Cardiovascular activity) –Perspiration Nonverbal clues –Facial muscles - the most unambiguous clue –Other clues = hand gestures & body language

FMRI (Functional MRI) Specific parts of the brain light up when the person is lying

Observational learning of emotions Monkeys raised in the wild fear snakes Monkeys raised in the laboratory do not fear snakes –After observing parents and peers fear snakes, younger monkeys developed a fear of snakes

Anger Perception of anger most common when a person’s actions seemed: –Willful –Avoidable –Unjustified

How can you handle anger? 1. Wait (simmer down) 2. Use a non-accusing statement of feeling (“I” statement) 3. Avoid “You” statements

Happiness Our general happiness level is largely unchanged by both very positive or very negative events.

Does money create happiness? College students’ attitude toward money

Does money buy happiness?

What influences our happiness?

Adaptation - level phenomenon Our tendency to judge items (income, grades, sounds, lights) relative to a “neutral” (or accustomed) level based on our prior experience. –E.g. income – temperature –Grades

Relative deprivation We often feel happy or deprived (rich or poor) relative to the people we compare ourselves to. –E.g. “Poor” in the U.S. is not poor in India –E.g. 90% on an exam feels good until you learn everyone else in the class had a score over 95%

What predicts happiness? High self-esteem Optimism Having a satisfying marriage or close friends Being happy in work and leisure Religious faith Enough sleep and exercise.