Emotions Flashcards
What is problematic with the study of emotions on animals?
humans have language and culture, which animals do not have. It is therefore erroneous to accume that animals experience the world the same way as we do. We tend to mistake
What happened with the study of dopaminergic circuitry on animals?
- Observed an apparent correlation between the presence of dopamine (the dopamine circuitry) and pleasure in animals.
- Dopamine became known as the pleasure molecule
- Turns out, in humans, dopamine is much more associated with unconscious behavior learning than pleasure
What occured when researchers stimulated animal’s medial amygdala at different intensities? What limitations of research on animals does this show?
- this area is linked to sexual behavior
- low intensity shock lead to sexual behavior display
- high intensity shock lead to agressive behavior
- we cannot understand what animals are feeling:do they have sexual pulsions, or is it just linked to stimulation of an area of the brain?
What is the main way in which humans recognize the emotions of others?
facial expression
Is the recognizing of emotions through facial expressions a fast or slow process?
- Extremely fast
- a longer reflexion will bring little to no improvement in accuracy
What is the particularity of the contexts in which beings express emotions?
beings display more emotions if they are alone than if they are in a group
What is the difference in expression of emotions between prey animals and predators?
predators always express emotions, whilst preys hide them
What are the classes of facial expressions between which humans may discriminate?
- fear
- anger
- surprise
- sadness
- disgust
- happiness
Is inferring emotions from facial expressions reliable?
no!
How many different emotional blends are there?
25
What is involved in an emotional blend?
- prototypical facial-muscle configurations
- voice
- touche
- posture
- gaze
- head/body movements
What is the duality of the existence of emotions?
- exist in the abstract
- exist in the feeling
Where are abstract emotions processed?
neocortex
Where are feeling-emotions processed?
limbic system (amygdala)
What is volitional facial paresis?
- difficulty in moving facial muscles voluntarily
- ability to move the facial muscles involuntarily
What is emotional facial paresis?
- lack of movement of facial muscles in response to emotions
- no difficulty moving these muscles voluntarily
What are the possible causes of volitional facial paresis?
- damage to the face region of the primary motor cortex
-damage to the subcortical connections of the primary motor cortex
What are the possible causes of emotional facial paresis?
- damage aroud the insular cortex
- damage in parts of the thalamus
What are the responses that tend to accompany the raw feeling of emotions?
- behavioral responses
- autonomic responses
- hormonal responses
In emotions, what is the role of behavioral responses?
muscular movements
In emotions, what is the role of autonomic responses?
- facilitate fight or flight behavior
- provide quick mobilization of energy
In emotions, what is the role of hormonal responses?
reinforces autonomic responses