Week 5 - Emotion Flashcards
Emotions
Brief, specific psychological and physiological responses that help humans meet goals, many of which are social
They are different from MOODS and EMOTIONAL DISORDERS
Components of emotions
Emotions help us meet SOCIAL GOALS!
Emotions motivate us to act in ways that affect important relationships and help us navigate the social environment
Not all emotions are good, though
How Do You Know What Emotion You Are Feeling?
We construe situations and label emotions appropriately through a process known as appraisal
Emotional appraisal
Primary Appraisal:
- Unconscious, fast, automatic
- Initial flash of positive or negative feelings
Secondary Appraisal:
- Conscious, slower, more deliberate
- Initial positive or negative feelings become labeled.
Universality vs Cultural Specificity
Universality of Emotions: To some extent, emotional responses are innate and universal
- People across cultures can recognize and understand certain emotions
Cultural Specificity of Emotions: Different cultures have emotional accents and “display rules”
Evolutionary approach to emotions
Principle of Serviceable Habits: Human emotional expressions come from patterns of behavior that were beneficial for our evolutionary predecessors
They promote survival and reproduction.
Emotional expression: Darwin’s 3 hypothesis
(1) Universality: All humans have the same facial muscles and express emotions similarly across cultures
- There are six universal emotions (Happiness | Surprise | Sadness | Anger | Disgust | Fear)
(2) Our expressions are similar to other primates or mammals
(3) Emotions are encoded, and not learned
Cultural Specificity of Emotions
While emotions are largely universal, there can be cultural differences in how these emotions are displayed
Focal Emotions
Ideal Emotions
Display rules
Focal Emotions
Emotions that are especially common within a particular culture
Collectivists tend to express more shame and embarrassment
Individualists express more pride
Honor cultures express more anger at insults
Ideal Emotions
Emotions that are particularly valued.
Affect valuation theory: Emotions that promote important cultural ideals are valued and will be more prominent in individuals’ social lives
In the US, excitement is an ideal emotion because it promotes independent action and self-expression.
In East Asia, calmness and contentment are ideal emotions because it helps with fitting into harmonious relationships.
Display rules
Cultural rules that govern how, when, and to whom particular emotions should be expressed
Collectivists tend to temper positive emotions with negative emotions.
Emotions and Social Relationships
Oxytocin and Commitment
Touch and Communication
Emotion and Social Status
How do emotions play a role in our decision-making?
Emotions & processing styles
Emotions & moral reasoning
Emotion Processing Style
Top-Down (Schemas)
- Greater use of Stereotypes
- Lesser attention to situational details
Bottom-Up:
- Lesser use of Stereotypes
- Greater attention to situational details
Anger
Stereotypes, Heuristics, Quick Judgments
Top-Down
