Chapter 14 - Functions of Emotions

Question 1

Cultural display rules

Answer 1

These are rules that are learned early in life that specify the management and modification of emotional expressions according to social circumstances. Cultural display rules can work in a number of different ways. For example, they can require individuals to express emotions “as is” (i.e., as they feel them), to exaggerate their expressions to show more than what is actually felt, to tone down their expressions to show less than what is actually felt, to conceal their feelings by expressing something else, or to show nothing at all.

Question 2

Interpersonal

Answer 2

This refers to the relationship or interaction between two or more individuals in a group. Thus, the interpersonal functions of emotion refer to the effects of one’s emotion on others, or to the relationship between oneself and others.

Question 3

Intrapersonal

Answer 3

This refers to what occurs within oneself. Thus, the intrapersonal functions of emotion refer to the effects to individuals that occur physically inside their bodies and psychologically inside their minds.

Question 4

Social and cultural

Answer 4

Society refers to a system of relationships between individuals and groups of individuals; culture refers to the meaning and information afforded to the system that is transmitted across generations. Thus, the social and cultural functions of emotion refer to the effects that emotions have on the functioning and maintenance of societies and cultures.

Question 5

Social referencing

Answer 5

This refers to the process whereby individuals look for information from others to clarify a situation, and then use that information to act. Thus, individuals will often use the emotional expressions of others as a source of information to make decisions about their own behavior.