1. Discrete Emotions Theory (1 of 5) LO 11
Discrete Emotions Theory (1 of 5) LO 11.1a Describe the major theories of emotion.
Mental states or feelings (affective states) associated with our evaluation of our experiences
Discrete emotions theory—humans experience a small number of distinct emotions, though they may combine in complex ways.
Emotions have biological roots and serve evolutionary functions.
Emotions (limbic system) precede our thoughts about them (cortex).

2. Discrete Emotions Theory (2 of 5) LO 11
Discrete Emotions Theory (2 of 5) LO 11.1a Describe the major theories of emotion.
If evolutionary in nature, emotions should be universal.
Good support for seven primary emotions:
Happiness, disgust, fear, sadness, surprise, anger, and contempt
“Pride” may also be a primary emotion.
These combine to form secondary emotions.
LO 11.1
Ekman & Friesen (1978) identified six universal facial expressions: joy (happiness), fear, anger (contempt), sadness, surprise and disgust.

3. Discrete Emotions Theory (3 of 5) LO 11
Discrete Emotions Theory (3 of 5) LO 11.1a Describe the major theories of emotion.
Cultural differences in expression
Cultures differ in display rules—how and when to express emotion.
Do not influence emotion itself, but instead its overt expression
Emotions and physiology
Able to differentiate some primary emotions physiologically
Heart rate increases more with negative emotions.
Digestive systems slows down with fear.
Not all are different, though.
Happy and sad look the same in brain scans.
Multiple brain regions are active in all emotions.

4. Discrete Emotions Theory
Real vs. fake emotions
Certain components of facial expression allow us to distinguish when someone is showing a genuine emotion.
Duchenne vs. Pan Am (fake) smiles
The Duchenne smile involves both voluntary and involuntary contraction from two muscles: the zygomatic major (raising the corners of the mouth) and the orbicularis oculi (raising the cheeks and producing crow's feet around the eyes).
A fake smile or "Say Cheese" smile involves the contraction of just the zygomatic major since we cannot voluntarily contract the orbicularis oculi muscle.
orbicularis oculi controlled involuntarily by limbic brain structures
“Real smiling” in college year book associated with greater life satisfaction and better marriage outcomes 30 years later!
LO 11.1

5. Cognitive Theories of Emotion (1 of 3) LO 11
Cognitive Theories of Emotion (1 of 3) LO 11.1a Describe the major theories of emotion.
Posit that emotions are products of thinking, rather than the other way around
No discrete emotions; there are as many emotions as there are kinds of thoughts.
Earliest theories were James-Lange and Cannon-Bard theories
LO 11.1

6. Cognitive Theories of Emotion
James-Lange theory proposes that emotions result from our interpretations of our bodily reactions to stimuli.
Cannon-Bard theory instead says an emotion-provoking event leads simultaneously to emotional and bodily reactions.
LO 11.1

7. Cognitive Theories of Emotion
Damasio’s somatic marker theory (left below) says that we use our “gut reactions” to gauge how we should act.
Two-factor theory states that emotions are produced by an undifferentiated arousal, with an attribution of that arousal.
LO 11.1

8. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Facial feedback hypothesis states that you are more likely to feel emotions that correspond to your facial features. “Cool Brain” Hypothesis
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

9. Deceiving with emotions: Lying and Lie Detection
Most people are not good at detecting lies.
Little or no correlation between people’s confidence in their ability to detect lies and their accuracy
All “objective” methods of lie detection (polygraph, brain imaging, integrity tests, etc.) are imperfect and often have high false positives
LO 11.3

10. Lying faces: Can we identify when a face is lying?
Ekaman Telling Lies (2001). microexpression: brief, fleeting facial expression of the opposite emotion to what the person is trying to convey
90% of deceivers produce reliable microexpression. 30% of truth-tellers also do.
Other cues: depersonalization of speech, departure from typical communication style.
Ekman’s advice: always play good cop
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

11. What Happiness Is Good For LO 11
What Happiness Is Good For LO 11.3a Identify common myths and realities about happiness and self-esteem.
Different from pleasure
May produce enduring physical and psychological benefits
Broaden and build theory says happiness predisposes us to think more openly, allowing us to see the “big picture.”
Optimism makes life easier.
LO 11.4

12. Happiness: An elusive emotion
Why humans aren’t designed to be happy
1. Hedonic treadmill: we quickly adapt to new circumstances requiring ever greater “thrills” to achieve contentment (the more you have the more you want!)
2. Tendency to make upward rather than downward social comparisons
3. Asymmetry of affective experience effect: losing $50 dollars feels worse than finding $50 feels good.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

13. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

14. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

15. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

16. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
For more see “are we happy yet” link on webpage
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

17. What Makes Us Happy (2 of 2) LO 11
What Makes Us Happy (2 of 2) LO 11.3a Identify common myths and realities about happiness and self-esteem.
Things that are related to happiness include
Being married
Having many friends
Graduating college
Being deeply religious
Political affiliation
Level of gratitude
Giving to others
Being in the midst of flow
Money? Maybe, depends
LO 11.5

18. The secret to Happiness: Ancient wisdom
Here again, I saw emptiness under the sun: a lonely man without a friend, without a son or brother, toiling endlessly yet never satisfied with his wealth. Two are better than one; they receive a good reward for their toil, because, if one falls, the other can help his companion up again; but alas for the man who falls with no partner to help him up. (Eccles. 4:7-10).
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)