Emotion and Motivation Flashcards
Define Emotion
• a complex experience of: • consciousness, • bodily sensation, and • behavior • that reflects the personal significance of a thing, an event, or a state of affairs.
What does the word emotion mean?
The word ‘emotion’ means : ‘to move’ Emotions move us: - Physically arousing the body - Driving factor to take actions - Moving towards goals - Avoiding activities or situations
• adaptive behaviors
Adaptive behavior is behavior that enables a person (usually used in the context of children) to get along in their environment with greatest success and least conflict with others. This is a term used in the areas of psychology and special education. Adaptive behavior relates to everyday skills or tasks that the “average” person is able to complete, similar to the term life skills.
• physiological changes
A physiological change is a change in the normal function of a living organism. An example of a physiological change is the everyday shedding of dead skin.
• emotional expressions
Emotional expressions include facial movements like smiling or scowling, simple behaviors like crying, laughing, or saying “thank you,” and more complex behaviors like writing a letter or giving a gift.
• emotional feelings
If it has anything to do with feelings like happiness or anger, then consider it emotional. … When you’re emotional, you’re feeling lots of feelings, or emotions: happy, sad, afraid, lonely, mad. An emotional speech makes you stand up and cheer.
Components of Emotion
- Physiological component
2. Cognitive-Perceptual component
Physiological component of emotion.
• Physiological component:
• Physiological arousal associated with emotions occurs through the activity in
the sympathetic nervous system and by the hormone adrenalin released by
the adrenal glands.
• Parasympathetic NS is the body’s counterbalancing mechanism, which can
reverse the effects of emotional arousal (heart rate slows, pupil size normal,
blood pressure drops)
The Polygraph
Lie detector tests (polygraph) measure the bodily changes that
accompany emotion.
• Questionable accuracy
• Records general emotional arousal — it can’t tell the difference
between lying and fear, anxiety or excitement.
Cognitive-Perceptual component:
Cognitive-Perceptual component:
• Emotional experience depends on how you as an individual interpret a
situation.
• Cognitive processes are therefore key determinants in emotional experience.
• The emotion experienced will depend on thoughts, past experience, present
needs as well as perception of the current context
Robert Plutchik has identified eight primary
emotions
- Anger
- Fear
- Antipitation
- Surprise
- Joy
- Sadness
- Trust
- Disgust
New emotions are produced when the primary emotions are combined. make example
Annoyance + Anger = Rage
Trust + Acceptance = Admiration
Anticipation+ Interest = Vigilance
What is a mood?
• Mildest form of emotion • Low intensity emotional states that can last for many hours, or even days. • Affect day-to-day behavior • Power of positive mood • Closely tied to circadian rhythms.
What is meant by facial expressions?
-Basic expressions appear to be fairly universal
• Facial expressions of fear, anger, disgust, sadness, surprise, and happiness
(enjoyment) are recognized around the world
• A smile is the most universal and easily recognized facial expression
Cultural Differences [in terms of facial expressions]
• Some facial expressions are shaped by learning and may be found only in specific cultures.
• Anger is a common emotion in Western cultures. Anger in Asia is less common, at odds with a culture that values cooperation.
• America: positive emotions associated with individuality. Japan,
the positive feeling associated with membership of the group
Gender Differences
- Private experiences
- No reason to believe any differences
• Outward experiences
Western cultures
• Women: guilt, sadness, fear
• Men: hostility and anger
Western upbringing
• Women: focus on nurturing
• Men: power
What is body language?
-The use of body movement, posture, gestures, and facial expressions
• Warning against ‘interpretations’ of body language: meanings are not
rigidly fixed
• Crossed arms
• Defensiveness
• Really cold
Body language [facial expressions]
Facial expressions
• Most expressive part of one’s body
• Believed to be the doorway to what other is feeling
3 basic dimensions:
• Pleasantness-unpleasantness
• Attention-rejection
• Activation (arousal)
Mixed messages
• Cutting words said with a smile
• Smile while arms crossed, shoulders hunched
The body telegraphs other feelings
Relaxation
• Arms and legs casually positioned and spread, leaning back
Tension- Closed posture
• Liking/disliking - Leaning toward / away
• Body positioning can reveal feelings that would normally be
concealed.
The “chameleon effect”
• often unconsciously mimic the postures, mannerisms, and facial expressions
of other people as we interact with them
• Stronger connection
• If another person copies your gestures and physical postures (subtly)