Chapter 12 Flashcards
Emotion
a response of the whole organism, involving physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and, most importantly, conscious experience resulting from one’s interpretations.
James-Lange Theory
the theory that our experience of emotion occurs when we become aware of our physiological responses to an emotion-arousing stimulus.
*racing heart, then fear
Cannon-Bard Theory
the theory that an emotion-arousing stimulus simultaneously triggers physiological responses and the subjective experience of emotion.
*heart begins pounding as one experiences fear
Two-Factor Theory
the Schachter-Singer theory that to experience emotion one must be physically aroused and cognitively label the arousal.
*heart racing + attribute to danger = fear
Spillover Effect
a feeling of arousal can be “spilled over” into other thoughts. Additionally, when aroused, we can “catch” the feelings of someone else just by observing them.
Emotion vs. Cognition
We can feel emotion before consciously processing an idea.
Emotion Pathway: High Road
a stimulus will travel via the thalamus to the brain’s cortex, where it will be analyzed and labeled before the command is sent out via the amygdala. Complex emotions usually follow this path.
Emotion Pathway: Low Road
a stimulus will travel via the thalamus directly to the amygdala, bypassing the cortex. Simple emotions usually follow this path, which enables an emotional response faster than cognition.
Emotional Arousal Physiology
When our central nervous system is alerted, sympathetic division arouses the body parts. When the crisis is over, the parasympathetic division calms the body parts.
Negative emotions activate the right prefrontal cortex, while positive ones activate the left frontal lobe.
Polygraph
a machine used in attempts to detect lies; measures emotion-linked changes in perspiration, heart rate, and breathing. This shows nothing about lying, because the changes can be cause by hundreds of different things
Detecting Emotion
Humans are great at detecting subtle facial cues and nonverbal threats.
Humans are bad at detecting lies.
Gender Differences in Emotion
- Women are better at detecting emotions and are more emotionally responsive and expressive.
- Men are associated with higher feelings of anger.
There is no difference in how emotion works physiologically.
Culture Differences in Emotion
Hand gestures can mean different things, but the meaning behind certain facial expressions is universal.
Facial Feedback Effect
the tendency of facial muscle states to trigger corresponding feelings, such as fear, anger, or happiness.
Behavior Feedback Effect
the tendency of behavior and movements to influence our own and other’s thoughts, feelings, and actions.
6 Basic Human Emotions
Anger, fear, disgust, sadness, happiness, and surprise
Anger
a feeling caused by the perception of a willful misdeed or a blameless annoyance, which when chronic, can harm us.
Catharsis
in psychology, the idea that “releasing” aggressive energy (through action or fantasy) relieves aggressive urges. This can temporarily relieve anger, but will ultimately make us angrier (behavior feedback effect)
Happiness
Happy people perceive the world as safer. They are also more confident, decisive, cooperative, successful, and healthier.
Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon
people’s tendency to be helpful when in a good mood. The reverse of this phenomenon is also true: people will feel good after they do good.
Positive Psychology
the scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities thrive.
