chapter 12: emotions, stress, and health Flashcards
How do arousal, expressive behavior, and cognition interact in emotion?
emotions are responses of the whole organism, involving physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and most importantly, conscious experience resulting from one’s interpretations. Theories of emotion generally address two major questions: (1) does physiological arousal come before or after emotional feelings? and (2) how do feelings and cognition interact? The James-Lange theory maintains that emotion occurs when we become aware of our body’s response to emotion-inducing stimuli. (we observe our heart pounding and feel fear). The Cannon-Bard theory purposes that our physiological response to an emotion-incuding stimulus occurs at the same time as our subjective feeling of the emotion (one does not cause the other)
To experience emotions, must we consciously interpret and label them?
The Schachter-Singer two-factory theory hodls that our emotions have two ingredients, physical arousal and a cognitive label; the cognitive labels we put on our states of arousal are an essential ingredients of emotions. Lazarus agreed that many important emotions arise from our interpretations and inferences. But Zajonc and LeDoux have contended that some simple emotional responses occur instantly, not only outside our conscious awareness, but before any cognitive processing occurs. This interplay between emotion and cognition illustrates our two-track mind
what is the link between emotional arousal and the autonomic nervous system?
the arousal component of emotion is regulated by autonomic nervous system’s sympathetic (arousing) and parasympathetic (calming) divisions. In a crisis, the fight-or-flight response automatically mobilizes your body for action
How do emotions activate different physiological and brain-pattern responses?
The large-scale body changes the accompany fear, anger, and sexual arousal are very similar (increased perspiration, breathing, and heartrate), though they feel different. Emotions may be similarly arousing, but some subtle physiological responses (such as facial muscle movements) distinguish them. More meaningful differences have been found in activity in some brain pathways and cortical areas
how effective are polygraphs in using body states to detect lies?
polygraphs (lie detectors) attempt to detect lies by measuring several emotion-linked physiological changes, but are not accurate enough to justify widespread use in business and law enforcement. The concealed information test produces better indications of lying
emotion
a response of the whole organism, involving (1) physiological arousal, (2) expressive behaviors, and, most importantly, (3) conscious experience resulting from one’s interpretations
James-Lange theory
the theory that our experience of emotion occurs when we become aware fo our physiological responses to an emotion-arousing stimulus
Cannon-Bard theory
the theory that an emotion-arousing stimulus simultaneously triggers (1) physiological responses and (2) the subjective experience of emotion
Two-factor theory
the Schachter-Singer theory that to experience emotion one must (1) by physically aroused and (2) cognitively label the arousal
polygraph
a machine used in attempts to detect lies; measures emotion-linked changes in perspiration, heartrate, and breathing
the ____________ theory of emotion maintains that our emotional experience occurs after our awareness of a physiological response
James-Lange
assume that after returning from an hour-long run, you receive a letter saying that your scholarship application has been approved. The two-factor theory of emotion would predict that your physical arousal will…
a) weaken your happiness
b) intensify your happiness
c) transform your happiness into relief
d) have no particular effect on your happiness
b) intensify your happiness
Zajonc and LeDoux have maintained that some emotional reactions occur before we have had the chance to consciously label or interpret them. Lazarus noted the importance of how we appraise events. These psychologists differ in the emphasis they place on ________ in emotional responses.
a) physical arousal
b) the hormone epinephrine
c) cognitive processing
d) learning
c) cognitive processing
What does a polygraph measure, and why are its results questionable?
A polygraph measures emotion-linked physiological changes, such as in perspiration, heart rate, and breathing. But the measure cannot distinguish between emotions with similar physiology (such as anxiety and guilt)
______ report experiencing emotions more deeply, and they tend to be more adapt at reading nonverbal behavior.
women
Are people more likely to differ culturally in their interpretations of facial expressions, or of gestures?
gestures
(a) based on the facial feedback effect, how might students report feeling when the rubber bands raise their cheeks as though in a smile? (B) how might students report feeling when the rubber bands pull their cheeks downward?
a) most students report feeling more happy than sad when their cheeks are raised upwards
b) most students report feeling more sad than happy when their cheeks are pulled downward
How do we communicate nonverbally?
Much of our communication is through body movements, facial expressions, and vocal tones. Even seconds-long filmed slices of behavior can reveal feelings.
How do men and women differ in nonverbal communication?
Women tend to read emotional cues more easily and to be more empathic. Their faces also express more emotions.
How are gestures and facial expressions understood within and across cultures?
The meaning of gestures varies with culture, but facial expressions, such as those of happiness and sadness, are roughly similar the world over. Context and culture can influence the interpretation of facial expressions; cultural display rules also influence the amount of emotion expressed.
How do our facial expressions influence our feelings?
Research on the facial feedback effect shows that our facial expressions can trigger emotional feelings and signal our body to record accordingly. We also mimic others’ expressions, which helps us empathize. A similar behavior feedback effect is the tendency of behavior to influence our own and others’ thoughts, feelings, and actions
facial feedback effect
The tendency of facial muscle states to trigger corresponding feelings, such as fear, anger, or happiness
behavior feedback effect
the tendency of behavior to influence our own and others’ thoughts, feelings and actions
when people are induced to assume fearful expressions, they often report feeling some fear. This result is known as the _____ ___________ effect.
facial feedback
Aiden has a bad cold and finds himself shuffling to class with his head down. How might his posture, as well as his cold, affect his emotional well-being?
Aiden’s droopy posture could negatively affect his mood thanks to the behavior feedback effect, which tends to make us feel the way we act.
Which of the following is an effective strategy for reducing angry feelings?
a) retaliate verbally or physically
b) wait or “simmer down”
c) express anger in action or fantasy
d) review the grievance silently
b) wait or “simmer down”
Which fo the following factors does NOT predict self-reported happiness?
a) age
b) personality traits
c) sleep and exercise
d) active religious faith
a) age
what are some of the basic emotions?
most emotion scientists agree that anger, fear, disgust, sadness, and happiness are basic human emotions. Carroll Izard’s 10 basic emotions are joy, interest-excitement, surprise, sadness, anger, disgust, contempt, fear, shame, and guilt.
What are the causes and consequences of anger?
Anger is often evoked by misdeeds that we interpret as willfully, unjustified, and avoidable. But smaller frustrations and blameless annoyances can also trigger anger, and our culture can influence how we express that anger. Anger boosts our heartrate and increases inflammation. Emotional catharsis may be temporarily calming, but it does not reduce anger; expressing anger can make us angrier. Experts suggest reducing the level of physiological arousal of anger by waiting, finding a healthy distraction or support, and trying to move away from the situation mentally. Controlled assertions of feelings may resolve conflicts, and forgiveness may rid us of angry feelings.
What is the feel-good, do-good phenomenon, and what is the focus of positive psychology research?
Happy people tend to be healthy, energized, and satisfied with life, making them more willing to help others (the feel-good, do-good phenomenon). Positive psychologists use scientific methods to study human flourishing, aiming to discover and promote strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive.
How do time, wealth, adaptation, and comparison affect our happiness levels?
The mood triggered by good or bad events seldom last beyond that day. Even significant good events seldom increase happiness for long. Having enough money to assure comfort, security, and a sense of control predicts happiness; having more than enough does not increase it. Economic growth in many countries has produced rising inequality, which predicts unhappiness; in countries and states with greater inequality, lower-income people experience more ill health, social problems, and mental disorders. Happiness is relative to our own experiences (the adaptation-level phenomenon) and to others’ success (the relative deprivation principle)
What predicts happiness, and how can we be happier?
some individuals, because of their genetic predispositions and personal histories, are happier than others. Cultures, which vary in the traits they value and the behaviors they expect and reward, also influence personal levels of happiness. Tips for increasing happiness levels: take charge of your schedule, act happy, seek meaningful work and leisure, but experiences rather than things, exercise, sleep enough, faster friendships, focus and find meaning beyond the self, challenge negative thinking, and nurture gratitude and spirituality.
catharsis
in psychology, the idea that “releasing” aggressive energy (through action or fantasy) relieves aggressive urges
feel-good, do-good phenomenon
people’s tendency to be helpful when in a good mood
positive psychology
the scientific study of human flourishing, with the goals of discovering and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities to thrive
subjective well-being
self-perceived happiness or satisfaction with lfie. Used along with measures of objective well-being (for example, physical and economic indicators) to evaluate people’s quality of life
adaptation-level phenomenon
our tendency to form judgments ( of sounds, of lights, of income) relative to a neutral level defined by our prior experience
