Chapter 13 Flashcards
Emotions are a mix of
Expressive behavior
Bodily arousal
conscious experience
emotion
full body/mind/behavior response to a situation
Sympathetic nervous system
physiological arousal felt during various emotions; triggers activity and changes in various organs
Parasympathetic nervous system
calms the body after arrousal
Culture and emotional expression
some universally understood facial expressions
people in other studies did have more accuracy judging emotions from their own culture
Facial feedback effect
facial position and muscle changes can alter which emotions we feel
evidence people with botox do not experience emotions as fully as others
Anger
a flash of anger gives energy and initiative to fight and take action
persistent anger can cause more harm then whats causing the anger
Catharsis myth
idea we can reduce anger by “releasing it”
counterproductive
Happiness
a mood, attitude, social phenomena, cognitive filter
fell good, do good phenomena
when in a good mood we do more for others. the reverse is also true: doing good feels good
What makes people happy
activity, money, social relationships, religion, age
adaptation-level phenomenon
when our wealth and other life conditions improve we are happier
however when we adapt to form a new normal and most people need another boost
Relative deprivation
feeling worse off by comparing yourself to people who are doing better
health psychology
studies impacts as part of behavior medicine
Stress
process of appraising and responding to events which we consider threatening or challenging
Stressor
an event or condition we view as threatening or challenging
Appraisal
Deciding whether to view something as a stressor
Stress reaction
any emotional and physical responses to the stressor
Brief experience of stress
can be beneficial, improve immune sys., motivating action, focus priorities, feel engaged, provide challeges
Prolonged experience of stress
harmful
mental and physical coping systems become overwhelmed and defeated
immune functioning and other health factors decline
Stressor categories
catastrophes
significant life change
chronic daily hassles
low social status/power
Catastrophic events/conditions
no appraisal necessary; most people agree event is harmful and overwhelming
short term : heart attacks
long term : flashbacks, depression, anxiety
bonding : trauma and recovery shared with others
Major life events/changes
even “happy” life changes can bring stress
harmful when in a cluster, too many at once, or painful
Chronic daily difficulties
can be caused by too many tasks, too little time, and too little control
Bodies response to stress
3 phases
1. “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system is aroused
lowers pain and increases heart rate
2. Brain sends signals to outside adrenal glands -> cortisol and other stress hormones
3. exhaustion
General adaptation syndrome (GAS)
Indentified by hans selye
our stress response system defends and then fatigues
Effects or prolonged stress (GAS)
works well for single exposure to stress but with constant exposure leads to signs of physical deterioration and premature aging
Female response to stress
“tend and befriend”; bonding hormone oxytocin
show signs or becoming more empathetic under stress
male response to stress
more likely to withdraw and use alcohol
more aggressive and less empathetic towards others
Psycho-neuroimunology
study of how interacting physiological, neural, and endocrine processes effect health
Coronary artery disease
blood vessels become clogged, narrowed, and closed
Contributing factors to heart disease
biological: genetic predisposition to increased BP and cholesterol
Behavioral: smoking, high fat, inactivity
Psychological: chronic stress; personality
Type A personality
impatient, verbally aggressive, always pushing themselves and others to achieve
Type B personailty
more relaxed and go with the flow
Pessimism
assumption negative outcomes will happen; complain or give up
more likely to develop heart disease
problem focused coping
reducing stressors; work out conflict, tackle difficult project
risk magnifying emotional distress
Emotion focused coping
reducing emotional impact of stress with support, comfort, perspective
risk ignoring the problem
