Ch 7: Observing and Reflecting Feelings Flashcards
What are emotions?
Emotions are our biological engines. They are affective states of consciousness that involve feelings like joy, sorrow, fear, hate, or love, and are often accompanied by physiological changes (e.g., increased heartbeat or crying).
How do emotions influence our thoughts, behaviors, and physiology?
Our words, thoughts, behaviors, and physiological reactions are all intertwined with emotions.
Ex: positive thoughts (like having a motivational wallpaper of your children) can affect your brain’s emotional state and drive behaviors.
What are the functions of emotions at the intrapersonal level?
At the intrapersonal level, emotions influence attention, determine salience (what we notice), guide our appraisal of situations, and motivate our thoughts, actions, and decisions.
However, emotions can also impair cognition and lead to distorted perceptions.
How do emotions function at the dyadic (two-person) level?
Emotions in a dyad inform the value each person has for the other.
They help coordinate responses within meaningful interpersonal relationships, shaping communication and interaction.
What role do emotions play in group dynamics?
Emotions help coordinate group interactions and convey information.
They can also lead to emotional contagion, where one person’s emotions influence the entire group, and shift the interpersonal dynamics within the group.
What is the Atlas of Emotions, and what is its purpose?
Commissioned by the Dalai Lama, the Atlas of Emotions aims to help individuals understand and manage their emotions to achieve a calm mind.
It provides a map of key emotional states (anger, fear, disgust, sadness, enjoyment) to promote emotional awareness.
What is the significance of reflecting feelings in therapy?
Reflecting feelings involves identifying and acknowledging the emotions a client expresses.
This helps clients clarify and understand their emotional states, leading to deeper self-awareness and emotional regulation.
It is essential in building emotional intelligence and therapeutic rapport.
What is the difference between paraphrasing and reflecting feelings?
Paraphrasing focuses on the content of what the client says, clarifying the message.
Reflecting feelings focuses on the underlying emotions, helping the client explore and better understand their emotional experience.
How can naming emotions enhance emotional awareness?
Naming emotions expands your emotional vocabulary and helps you accurately identify and observe emotions.
Recognizing primary emotions like sadness, anger, happiness, fear, disgust, and surprise can increase emotional literacy and enhance self-regulation.
How do limbic brain structures relate to emotional responses?
The amygdala processes emotional information, while the prefrontal cortex labels and regulates emotional responses.
The hippocampus stores emotional memories
The hypothalamus and adrenal glands control the hormonal responses tied to emotions like fight, flight, or freeze
Why is it important to focus on positive emotions in therapy?
Positive emotions broaden people’s cognitive and emotional capacities, making them more creative, open, and resilient.
Fostering positive emotional experiences can aid mental health and problem-solving, particularly for clients with a negative cognitive style.
How can counselors help clients with mixed or conflicting emotions?
Counselors can help clients navigate mixed feelings by validating their emotions and facilitating exploration of the complexity behind them.
Understanding both basic and social emotions, which may be learned from culture and community, aids in this process.
What are micro and macro nonverbal cues in emotional expression?
Macro nonverbals are easily visible emotional expressions (e.g., facial expressions, gestures), while micro nonverbals are fleeting, subtle signs of concealed emotion that can appear in a split second.
Observing both is crucial for understanding underlying feelings.
How do cultural differences impact emotional expression?
Emotional expression varies based on cultural background, upbringing, and individual experiences.
Counselors should respect diversity in emotional expression and be mindful of how cultural and social influences shape emotional responses.
How can counselors help clients manage emotional expressiveness?
Counselors can observe nonverbal cues, pace conversations, and encourage clients to express their emotions more openly.
Reorienting clients to the present moment before reflecting on their emotions can aid in emotional regulation.
How do positive emotions influence our ability to cope?
Positive emotions broaden people’s thought-action repertoires, expand their focus, and enhance their coping capacities.
They enable more creative, flexible thinking, which is essential during crises.
How does depression affect emotional and cognitive functioning?
Depression can disrupt emotional regulation and executive functioning, making it harder for individuals to manage emotions and process information.
Helping clients cultivate positive emotions is essential in overcoming depression and improving mental health
