9. Emotion and stress Flashcards
define emotion
Positive or negative reactions to a certain situation (physiological and behavioural changes)
name the three components of emotion
Cognitive
Feelings
Action
emotion causes…
increased ANS activity
mix of parasympathetic and sympathetic response
summarise James Lang’s theory of emotion
Activation of the autonomic nervous system/motor action occurs first, emotion later
EVENT APPRAISAL ACTION EMOTION
what are the assumptions according to James Lang?
- people with low musculoskeletal and autonomic response –> feel fewer emotions
- increased physiological response should increase the emotion
empirical evidence for James Lang?
- Smiling increases happiness
- Frowning: certain stimuli are experienced as less pleasurable
PERCEPTION OF OWN BODY/ACTIONS CONTRIBUTES TO THE EMOTIONL EXPERIENCE
pure autonomic failure
another way of saying this?
idiopathic orthostatic hypotension
what is idiopathic orthostatic hypotension caused by?
Communication failures between ANS and rest of body
idiopathic orthostatic hypotension: symptoms?
- 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
brain mechanism of emotion…
the limbic system
The Limbic System: describe 3 empirical findings…
- Different areas are activated by the same emotional experience (and vice versa)
(more evident in corticotemporal and frontal areas) - right hemisphere more responsive to EMOTIONAL stimuli
- Right temporal cortex lesions: associated with problems identifying emotions in others
What is meant by “hemispheric dependency”?
Right cerebral hemisphere: behavioural INHIBITION system
Left cerebral hemisphere: behavioural ACTIVATION system
BIS
BEHAVIOURAL INHIBITION SYSTEM (right)
- increases arousal
- inhibits action
e. g. fear and disgust
- inhibits action
BAS
BEHAVIOURAL ACTIVATION SYSTEM (left)
– low arousal, approach behaviour
e.g. happiness, anger
what is the amygdala and where is it found?
a set of nuclei found deep in the temporal lobes
central nucleus –> critical in emotional response caused by aversive stimuli
amygdala - function?
processing and storage of
emotional reaction
amygdala: plan of action…
- receives sensory info
- evaluates emotional importance of stimuli (relates them to previous experience)
- activates autonomic & hormonal response
people with damaged amygdala CAN…
show components (behavioural, autonomic and endocrine) of a fear response when presented with triggering stimulus
people with damaged amygdala CANNOT…
express a CONDITIONED fear response
what is the insula?
Primary cortex of taste
what is the only emotion for which a specific brain area has been found?
DISGUST
Greater activation to images such as facial expressions of disgust.
It is also activated by terrifying images
PARASYMPATHETIC RESPONSE
- digestive system activated
- pupil constriction
- slow HR
- bronchial tubes constricted
- uterus relaxed
- vasoconstriction
SYMAPTHETIC RESPONSE
- digestive system activity reduced
- pupil dilation
- increased HR
- bronchial tubes dilated
- vasodilation
- sweat secretion
- vaginal contraction
- adrenaline production
contrast and compare the hormonal and the autonomic response…
AUTONOMIC RESPONSE: Aka flight-or-flight - faster - effects less long-lasting HORMONAL RESPONSE: Aka Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis - slower - effects longer-lasting
men show more ______________________ than women
• 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
studies have linked aggressive behaviour with…
- testosterone
- REDUCED SEROTONIN SYNTHESIS & RELEASE
DEFINE STRESS
nonspecific response of the body to a demand (PLEASANT OR UNPLEASANT)
general adaptation syndrome
physiological process related to stress
–> our stress response system defends then fatigues
name the three phases of GAS
ALARM: increased SNAS activity
RESISTANCE: coping, reduction of SNAS, release of cortisol
EXHAUSTION: resources depleted, immune system weakens
what is cortisol?
Stress hormone, critical in situations of prolonged stress
functions of cortisol?
– Helps metabolize energy
Short or moderate release: increases attention, memory formation and increases the immune response
cortisol: what happens after prolonged release?
interferes with memory and immune activity
cortisol: effects after short or moderate release?
- increases attention, memory
- increases immune response
name short term effects of trauma
shock
denial
name long term effects of trauma
unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, headaches, nausea
trauma: neuroanatomical changes
- CRH hypersecretion
- Decreased basal cortisol levels
- Inhibition of negative feedback on the HPS system
- Hypersensitization of glucocorticoid receptors
describe what structural alterations could occur in the neuroanatomy, when trauma lasts longer than 12 weeks…
Alterations in neurogenesis, dendritic length and neural density
local blood flow abnormalities
hippocampal volume reduction (8%)
