Emotions Flashcards
Characteristics, Theories, Regulation, Expressions
CHARACTERISTICS OF EMOTIONS:
Usually Temporary, Experience can be positive or negative, alters thought processes, triggers action tendency, Passions that are felt. Varying intensity
TAXONOMIES OF EMOTION -
Basic emotions:
Basic Emotions: These are considered to be primary or fundamental emotional states that are universally recognized across cultures and have distinct facial expressions. Examples of basic emotions include happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise. They are thought to have evolved to serve adaptive functions related to survival and social communication.
TAXONOMIES OF EMOTION -
Complex emotions:
Complex Emotions: Also known as secondary or higher-order emotions, complex emotions involve blends or combinations of basic emotions and are often influenced by individual experiences, socialization, and cognitive appraisal. Examples of complex emotions include pride, guilt, shame, jealousy, and love. These emotions typically require more cognitive processing and may vary in their recognition and expression across cultures.
TAXONOMIES OF EMOTION -
Negative affect:
Refers to a broad range of unpleasant or aversive emotions, such as sadness, anger, fear, and disgust. Negative affective states are characterised by feelings of distress, discomfort, or unhappiness.
TAXONOMIES OF EMOTION -
Positive affect:
Encompasses a diverse array of pleasant or rewarding emotions, including happiness, joy, excitement, and contentment. Positive affective states are associated with feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and well-being.
James-Lange Theory (Peripheral):
Suggests emotions result from the body responding to an emotion-inducing stimulus, this physiological response is then interpreted as an emotion.
EXAMPLE:
Anger is associated with increased blood-flow in hands and feet, fear is associated with decreased blood-flow in these areas.
Canon Bard Theory (Central):
Suggests both physiological and emotional responses occur simultaneously in response to emotion-inducing stimuli.
EXAMPLE:
Stimulation of certain brain areas can create pleasant or unpleasant emotions.
Cognitive Theories (Schachter-Signer; Lazarus):
Cognitive interpretations of events and of physiological reactions to them shape emotional experiences.
EXAMPLE:
Autonomic arousal can be experienced as anxiety or excitement, depending on how it is labelled. A single event can lead to different emotions, depending on whether it is perceived as threatening or challenging.
Innate Emotions:
Innate emotions are those that are believed to be biologically programmed and present from birth or early infancy. These emotions are thought to have evolutionary significance for survival and are typically consistent across cultures.
EXAMPLES:
1. Fear: The instinctual response to perceived threats or danger, designed to promote survival.
2. Joy: A positive emotional state associated with feelings of happiness, contentment, or pleasure.
3. Anger: A response to frustration, perceived injustice, or threats to one’s well-being or goals.
Learned Emotions:
Learned emotions are those that develop through individual experiences, socialization, and cultural influences. While the capacity for experiencing these emotions may be innate, their specific triggers, expressions, and interpretations are shaped by environmental factors.
EXAMPLES:
1. Guilt: A moral emotion arising from violating personal or societal norms, learned through socialisation and moral teachings.
3. Shame: Similar to guilt but focuses more on the individual’s perception of their own inadequacy or failure, often influenced by cultural norms.
3. Envy: The feeling of resentment or longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or achievements, which can vary based on societal values and individual experiences.
Universally Recognised Emotions:
Some emotions are universally recognized across cultures, suggesting a common biological basis or evolutionary origin. These emotions tend to be expressed and interpreted similarly regardless of cultural background.
EXAMPLES:
1. Happiness: The facial expression associated with happiness, characterised by a smile, is generally recognised across cultures.
2. Sadness: Facial expressions such as frowning or tears are commonly associated with sadness and are universally recognised.
3. Disgust: The facial expression of disgust, often involving wrinkling of the nose and mouth, is generally recognised across cultures.
Emotional Regulation:
The ability to effectively manage and control one’s emotional responses, both in terms of their intensity and duration, in order to adaptively navigate and cope with internal and external challenges. This process involves various cognitive, behavioural, and physiological strategies aimed at modulating emotions to promote well-being and adaptive functioning. Emotional regulation encompasses the recognition, understanding, acceptance, and modulation of emotions in a manner that aligns with personal goals, social norms, and situational demands.
Emotions and facial/bodily expressions:
Facial - Specific facial muscle movements convey emotional states, aiding in nonverbal communication. For instance, a smile typically indicates happiness, while a furrowed brow may signal anger. These expressions are often universal across cultures.
Bodily - Emotions also manifest in bodily cues like posture, gestures, and movements. Fear might lead to tense muscles and a defensive stance, while joy might result in relaxed, open body language. These expressions complement facial cues, enhancing emotional communication.
Social and Cultural Influences on Emotional Expressions:
- Display Rules: Societal norms dictate when and how emotions should be expressed, influencing individuals to either display or suppress certain emotions.
- Cultural Norms: Cultural values and traditions shape which emotions are considered acceptable or desirable to express, impacting emotional expression styles.
- Socialisation: Learning from family, peers, and media influences how individuals express and interpret emotions, aligning with cultural norms and values.
- Emotion Regulation: Cultural practices and beliefs guide how individuals regulate emotions, emphasising either emotional restraint or expression as appropriate.
