9. Emotion and stress

Question 1

define emotion

Answer 1

Positive or negative reactions to a certain situation (physiological and behavioural changes)

Question 2

name the three components of emotion

Answer 2

Cognitive
Feelings
Action

Question 3

emotion causes…

Answer 3

increased ANS activity

mix of parasympathetic and sympathetic response

Question 4

summarise James Lang’s theory of emotion

Answer 4

Activation of the autonomic nervous system/motor action occurs first, emotion later

EVENT  APPRAISAL  ACTION  EMOTION

Question 5

what are the assumptions according to James Lang?

Answer 5

• people with low musculoskeletal and autonomic response –> feel fewer emotions
• increased physiological response should increase the emotion

Question 6

empirical evidence for James Lang?

Answer 6

• Smiling increases happiness
• Frowning: certain stimuli are experienced as less pleasurable

PERCEPTION OF OWN BODY/ACTIONS CONTRIBUTES TO THE EMOTIONL EXPERIENCE

Question 7

pure autonomic failure

another way of saying this?

Answer 7

idiopathic orthostatic hypotension

Question 8

what is idiopathic orthostatic hypotension caused by?

Answer 8

Communication failures between ANS and rest of body

Question 9

idiopathic orthostatic hypotension: symptoms?

Answer 9

• No reaction to stressors like physiological changes (increased heartrate, sweating)
• Less intense emotions
• Experience cognitive aspect, not emotional

BUT People with spinal cord injuries also feel emotions Emotions do not require feedback from muscle movement

Question 10

brain mechanism of emotion…

Answer 10

the limbic system

Question 11

The Limbic System: describe 3 empirical findings…

Answer 11

1. Different areas are activated by the same emotional experience (and vice versa)
   (more evident in corticotemporal and frontal areas)
2. right hemisphere more responsive to EMOTIONAL stimuli
3. Right temporal cortex lesions: associated with problems identifying emotions in others

Question 12

What is meant by “hemispheric dependency”?

Answer 12

Right cerebral hemisphere: behavioural INHIBITION system

Left cerebral hemisphere: behavioural ACTIVATION system

Question 13

BIS

Answer 13

BEHAVIOURAL INHIBITION SYSTEM (right)

• • increases arousal
• • inhibits action
    e. g. fear and disgust

Question 14

BAS

Answer 14

BEHAVIOURAL ACTIVATION SYSTEM (left)
– low arousal, approach behaviour

e.g. happiness, anger

Question 15

what is the amygdala and where is it found?

Answer 15

a set of nuclei found deep in the temporal lobes

central nucleus –> critical in emotional response caused by aversive stimuli

Question 16

amygdala - function?

Answer 16

processing and storage of

emotional reaction

Question 17

amygdala: plan of action…

Answer 17

1. receives sensory info
2. evaluates emotional importance of stimuli (relates them to previous experience)
3. activates autonomic & hormonal response

Question 18

people with damaged amygdala CAN…

Answer 18

show components (behavioural, autonomic and endocrine) of a fear response 
when presented with triggering stimulus

Question 19

people with damaged amygdala CANNOT…

Answer 19

express a CONDITIONED fear response

Question 20

what is the insula?

Answer 20

Primary cortex of taste

Question 21

what is the only emotion for which a specific brain area has been found?

Answer 21

DISGUST

Greater activation to images such as facial expressions of disgust.
It is also activated by terrifying images

Question 22

PARASYMPATHETIC RESPONSE

Answer 22

• digestive system activated
• pupil constriction
• slow HR
• bronchial tubes constricted
• uterus relaxed
• vasoconstriction

Question 23

SYMAPTHETIC RESPONSE

Answer 23

• digestive system activity reduced
• pupil dilation
• increased HR
• bronchial tubes dilated
• vasodilation
• sweat secretion
• vaginal contraction
• adrenaline production

Question 24

contrast and compare the hormonal and the autonomic response…

Answer 24

AUTONOMIC RESPONSE:
Aka flight-or-flight
-	faster
-	effects less long-lasting
HORMONAL RESPONSE:
Aka Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
-	slower
-	effects longer-lasting

Question 25

men show more ______________________ than women

Answer 25

• men show more violent and aggressive behaviors than women testosterone!!!!! STUDY: men convicted of murder and rape have higher testosterone levels than men convicted of drug offenses and burglary

Question 26

studies have linked aggressive behaviour with...

Answer 26

- testosterone | - REDUCED SEROTONIN SYNTHESIS & RELEASE

Question 27

DEFINE STRESS

Answer 27

nonspecific response of the body to a demand (PLEASANT OR UNPLEASANT)

Question 28

general adaptation syndrome

Answer 28

physiological process related to stress --> our stress response system defends then fatigues

Question 29

name the three phases of GAS

Answer 29

ALARM: increased SNAS activity RESISTANCE: coping, reduction of SNAS, release of cortisol EXHAUSTION: resources depleted, immune system weakens

Question 30

what is cortisol?

Answer 30

Stress hormone, critical in situations of prolonged stress

Question 31

functions of cortisol?

Answer 31

-- Helps metabolize energy | Short or moderate release: increases attention, memory formation and increases the immune response

Question 32

cortisol: what happens after prolonged release?

Answer 32

interferes with memory and immune activity

Question 33

cortisol: effects after short or moderate release?

Answer 33

- increases attention, memory | - increases immune response

Question 34

name short term effects of trauma

Answer 34

shock | denial

Question 35

name long term effects of trauma

Answer 35

unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, headaches, nausea

Question 36

trauma: neuroanatomical changes

Answer 36

- CRH hypersecretion - Decreased basal cortisol levels - Inhibition of negative feedback on the HPS system - Hypersensitization of glucocorticoid receptors

Question 37

describe what structural alterations could occur in the neuroanatomy, when trauma lasts longer than 12 weeks...

Answer 37

Alterations in neurogenesis, dendritic length and neural density  local blood flow abnormalities  hippocampal volume reduction (8%)