Emotion, Stress, and Happiness Flashcards
Emotion, Stress, and Happiness
> humans often driven by emotional responses
>internal private experience
Facial Expressions
Measuring Emotion
> initial reaction, even if try to suppress
Physiological Responses
Measuring Emotion
> heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension
Person’s Description
Measuring Emotion
> verbal rating
Behavior
Measuring Emotion
> observe and infer
ex. handwriting speed test
fast: happy, slow: sad
Ekman Experiment
> ex. Ekman tested four diff countries of people
asked to identify emotion based on facial pic
result: emotions are genetically driven/innate
criticisms: people learn facial expressions
Ekman and Friesen Experiment
> The Fore Tribe (hunters/gathers- no western media)
result: interpreted facial expressions same way
Ekman Kids Experiment
> described characteristics of facial movements for emotions
tested kids born blind (could not have learned facial expressions)
result: all kids move same way originally, can be changed with experience
Physiological Indicators of Emotion
> sympathetic nervous system activity
(heart rate, respiration rate, pupil dilation, etc.)
person can not control these
prepare for “fight” or “flight”
Cerebral Cortex
Role in Emotions
> inhibition of emotional responses
>removal: sham rage (agression at slightest move, not focused)
Hypothalamus
Role in Emotions
> stimulate: rage attack (focused)
>strong pleasure reactions (ex. press shock button repeatedly)
Brain
Role in Emotions
> no one part controls emotions
>conflicting interactions are possible
Gender Differences in Emotions Experiment
Facial Expressions/Physiological Reactions
> stereotype: women more emotional than men
pics seen by observers (+/-), judges describe what’s seen
results: facial expressions- using female observer more accurate than using male
physiological reaction- more change in male than female
Gender Differences in Emotions Experiment
Explanation
(Facial Expressions/Physiological Reactions)
> lifetime of socialization caused males/females to react differently
men inhibit facial expressions, express as physiological reactions
James-Lange Theory of Emotion
> stimulus (environ) - physical reaction (auto) - emotion
emotional reactions are adaptation to environ
ex. bear - raised heart beat - fear
ex. car accident - fear/relief - heart pounds
James-Lange Theory of Emotion
Problems
> physiology too slow (emotions before physical change)
spinal injured have little sense of physical reactions
diff emotional endpoints, even w/same physical changes
Physiological Similarities
> ex. arousal from roller coaster (excitement vs. fear)
same stimulus and physical response, diff emotions
Two Factor Theory
> physical arousal (engine) - person’s thoughts (steering)
>produce unique emotion, sequence does not matter
Schachter’s Cognitive Label Theory
Bridge Experiment
(Two Factor Theory)
> female asked males to create story
low bridge (stable): few romantic stories, 9% called back
high bridge (unstable): romantic stories, 39% called back)
result: bridge (arousal), female (cognition, attributed w/arousal)
Negative Emotion State
> short-term stress is not necessarily bad (motivates)
long-term chronic stress is bad
no stress is unrealistic
manage stress to deal with it
Denial
> faced w/uncomfortable fact, person rejects despite evidence
>short-term fix to stress management
Denial Examples
> ex. terminally ill kids/parents
measured parent’s 17OHCS (stress hormone in blood)
denial- low levels
acceptance- high levels
ex. combat helicopter pilots (fault if shot down)
chance- low levels
myself- high levels
Perceived Control Rat Experiment
G1: light - spin wheel - mild shock
light - don't spin wheel - large shock
G2: shock produced by and with G1
spinning wheel makes no diff
result: G1 less stress, G2 more stressLife Change and Stress
> change is stressful (both +/-)
more events = more stress
higher risk of sickness
stress is cumulative
Personality Types
> in reality are like a continuum
>both have equally stressful lives (about reaction)
Type A
Personality Types
> competitive, hard-driven, impatient
>more likely to develop cardiovascular problems
Type B
Personality Types
> easygoing, relaxed
Lifestyle Modification Research
> ex. Type A’s w/at least one heart attack
can learn to be more Type B, reduces risk
belief in sense of control reduces stress
The Nursing Home Study
> G1: control (select plant, movies, visiting hrs, and room)
G2: no control (given plant, visiting hrs, movie, room)
results: G1 had + rating from nurses, longevity
Stress and Colds
> gave life change test to get high/low score
all infected w/cold virus
result: just because infected, doesn’t mean get sick
(stress compromises immune system)
Explanatory Style
>same event, diff perspective >optimistic people have more control over stress >pessimistic people have worse health >ex. company restructuring pes: threat - more sick opt: opportunity - less sick
Distraction
> temp fix to stress
ex. kids w/chemo and video games experiment
(fewer side effects, cost effective)
Distraction and Pain Control Experiment
Bennett and Boehm
1) shadowing task (repeat message from one ear)
2) “control the temp” condition (“heat with switch”)
3) control condition (do nothing)
>results: G1 and G2 experienced less pain than G3
Social Support
> rely/trust others to experience less stress
people who live alone more likely to be hospitalized
ex. heart surgery patients w/roommates after
result: paired w/people who had same surgery = fewer complications after
Progressive Relaxation and Exercise
> physical activity is one of best ways to manage stress
>replaces unhealthy activities
Subjective Well-Being
> feeling of happiness/satisfaction w/life
Feel Good/Do Good Phenomenon
> feel more happy = more willing to help others
The Nun Study: Danner
> happiness vs. longevity (tested is this a thing)
nuns have fewer variables to control vs. general population
studied journals for emotional content (+/-/n)
The Nun Study: Danner
Results
> happy nuns lived avg 10 yrs longer
happiness IS related to longevity
results replicated by other experiments
Wealth and Happiness
> weak relationship between wealth/happiness (U.S.- r = 0.12 = 1.4%)
Diener tested Forbes list vs. avg person ($50,000 per family)
result: 37% of ultra wealthy less satisfied than avg American
Gallop Poll
> how much $ vs. how satisfied
American’s income 2x/3x since 1950’s (life satisfaction hasn’t changed)
curve relationship between money/happiness
Adaptation-Level Phenomenon
> people adapt to income level
ex. Brickman’s experiment (avg. Americans vs. lotto winners and avg. Americans vs. spine injured)
result: life satisfaction-
lotto winners - way above avg - slightly below avg
physically impaired - way below avg - slightly above lotto, but slightly below avg
(order: lotto - phys - avg)
Values Matter
> neg relationship between money and happiness
pos relationship between love and happiness
usually no gender diff
age doesn’t change life satisfaction
Personality and Satisfaction
> extroverts usually more happy than introverts
>introvert’s best day about same as extrovert’s lowest point
Frame of Reference and Happiness
> happiness is relative to our comparison to others
avg world income: $3,000
7% college edu
1/4 access to car
20-30% access to computer
“I wish…” - upward comparison - less happy
“I’m glad…” - downward comparison - more happy
Religious Involvement and Happiness
> people involved in religion typically more happy
Marriage and Well-being
> married people are typically more happy
single people more likely to have issues
ex. intact vs. disrupt families
(kids happier w/intact families, avg 13 yr old still show neg reaction)
Happy People Characteristics
>high self esteem, optimistic, outgoing, agreeable >close friends >work/leisure engage skills >meaningful regions faith >sleep well and exercise
Happiness Does NOT Relate To
>age >gender >education level >parenthood (having children) >physical attractiveness (happiness drives appearance)
