exam ch10 Flashcards
(7 cards)
Q1. why is pain good for us
because if we wouldnt feel it we wouldnt get the warning to “escape the environment” (avoid situations that can cause us injuries or, worse, death)
+exists only for organissm that can do smth ab it
darwin’s medicine. pain= adaptive mechanism with survival benefits - helps u avoid/overcome siuations
it’s like a warning signal that tells u to do smth ab it (smoke detector principle)
+can be visible or invisible, ut in any case communication is key cause to be heard is to be seen (invisible hurt becoming visible) - it start from understanding and acknowledging the pain
Q2. burleson verbal person centred support theory
human centered communication in 3 stages:
1.acknowledge
2.validate
3.explore
this comes w three possible approaches:
1. low person centred: no acknowledgement, no validation, noexploration (stop worrying so much, is not a big deal)
2.moderate person centred: partial acknowledgement, validation and exploration (i understand but)
3.high person centred: acknowledges, validates and explores (i am sorry this has happened, you can talk to me if u want. I AM HERE W YOU) - no pressure, yet allows the person to know ure there for them
Q3. harlow experiment
cloth mother over wired mother, the power of physical touch
What happened:
Infant rhesus monkeys were given two artificial “mothers”:
A wire mother with milk
A cloth mother without food
The monkeys overwhelmingly preferred the cloth mother — they only went to the wire one for feeding.
❤️ What this tells us:
Comfort > Survival — emotional comfort is a primary human (and primate) need, not just a secondary one.
Attachment is tactile and emotion-based, not just about who provides physical resources (like food).
🔗 Why it matters for IPCC:
Supports attachment theory: We seek secure bases — people who give us emotional safety.
Comfort involves physical contact, emotional validation, and presence, not just solving problems.
Helps explain why people often value emotional support over advice in times of stress.
⚠️ Critical Reflection:
The experiments were highly unethical by today’s standards — monkeys were permanently emotionally damaged.
Raises awareness of how neglect, isolation, or lack of comfort in early development can lead to severe relational issues later in life.
💬 Apply this in exams:
“Harlow’s work shows that emotional bonding and comfort are biological necessities, not luxuries. This helps explain why humans rely on physical closeness, emotional support, and nonverbal cues in maintaining strong interpersonal connections.”
transitional objects
source of comfort for those who dont find it in mothers
physical objects that hold specific significance for individuals (mine approac to emotions)
small acts of goodness
levinas’ responsibility to care for the other and comfort them
spontaneous selfless gestures thta prioritize the wellbeing of others (reflection of your ethical responsibility as human)
ethical way of rebellion
Q4. gender differences in communicating comfort
tend and befriend (nurturing) of women vs fight or flight (men)
gender as culture theory (tannen)
women socialized to value relations for emotional e expressive qualities. comfort to create intimacy and connection
men’s talk is to achieve task and maintain independence: inform, persuade & entertain before emotional support
BURLESON
men and women very similatly appreciate comfort and emotional support over information and persuasion
similar approach to interpersonal relations
+same health benefits significance for affectionate communication
BUT women slightly better at reading facial expressions (useful for lt rel) and greater appreciation of non verbal ways to communicate
men have more difficulties in seeking and finding emotional support due to social anxiety (tendency to conform to social norms)
takeaways:
1.acknowledge that both feel hurt and need support
2.validate the hurt in others
3. explore what works best for each of us
Q10. comfort in digital age vs offline world
“autistic space” less sensorty overload, less social pressure & less non verbal ambiguity
+own pace, no non verbal confusion, comfort x structured written interactions
APPRAISAL THEORY OF COMFORTING
1.safe to talk
2. focus on how person thinks and feels
3.gives the option to look difefrently at the situation
online context helps through anonimity, disinhibitioneffect and hyperpersonal effect (slower pace=more effective replies)
casestudies:
1.listenerbot: to help teenagers opening up, kinda failed cause reluctant to open up (hard to create trust, safety and emotional depth w a bot)
2.beebot: social skills to autistic children (success dpended on real life practice)
conclusion: online suppoirt effective but not a substitution to human contact (harlow experiment!!!!)
