Emotions and Stress Flashcards
5 major theories of emotion
- James-Lange Theory of Emotion
- Cannon-Bard Theory
- Schachter and Singer’s Two-Factor Theory
- Lazarus’s Cognitive Appraisal Theory
- LeDoux’s Two-System Theory
James-Lange Theory
- Event > Physiological sensation perceived as emotion
- Facial feedback hypothesis
Facial feedback hypothesis
- Facial expression > Physiological sensation > Emotion
- Related to James-Lange Theory
Example: Frown > Tensed muscles > Stress
Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion
- Event > Thalamus sends signals to cerebral cortex and sympathetic nervous system > Physiological sensation AND emotion
- All emotions have similar physiological arousal (different emotions are not due to different physiological sensations)
Schachter and Singer’s Two-Factor Theory (AKA Cognitive Arousal Theory)
- Event > Physiological sensation > Attribution/cognitive label > Emotion
- Based on “epinephrine studies”
- Led to “misattribution of arousal” research
- Led to “excitation transfer theory” research
Schachter and Singer’s epinephrine studies
- Foundation for Schachter and Singer’s Two-Factor Theory
- Participants w/ unexplained physiological arousal looked to actor to understand emotions
Misattribution of arousal
- Tendency to mislabel arousal/emotions when cause is unknown or unclear
- Originated from Schachter and Singer’s Two-Factor Theory
Excitation Transfer Theory
- NOT the same as misattribution of arousal (although it incorporates that concept)
- Arousal from one event can increase arousal during later unrelated event
Three assumptions of Excitation Transfer Theory
- Physiological arousal can decrease slowly after event
- “Residual arousal” can increase later arousal
- People can misattribute arousal to later event only and not the earlier event too
Lazarus’s Cognitive Appraisal Theory
- Event > Appraisal/thought > Physiological sensation > Emotion
Three types of appraisals in Lazarus’s Cognitive Appraisal Theory
- Primary appraisal - event is irrelevant, positive, or stressful (threat, challenge, harm/loss)
- Secondary appraisal - determining coping skills and their potential effectiveness when event is stressful
- Reappraisal - monitor and change primary/secondary appraisals as needed
LeDoux’s Two-System Theory
- Primarily focused on fear
- Fear driven by two interacting systems responding to threatening events
Two systems in LeDoux’s Two-System Theory
- Subcortical system
- Cortical system
Subcortical system in LeDoux’s Two-System Theory
- Survival system
- Quick and automatic defense response
- Amygdala
- Used to be called “low road”
Cortical system in LeDoux’s Two-System Theory
- Conscious emotional system
- Processes sensory information and uses cognitive processes (memory, attention, reasoning) to determine whether fear is warranted
- Cortices (visual, prefrontal, parietal)
- Used to be called “high road”
Papez circuit
- Linked emotions to specific brain areas
- Subsequent research focuses more on memory as an important mediator of emotions
Cerebral cortex and emotions
- Left/dominant hemisphere - happiness and positive emotions, damage leads to strong negative emotions
- Right hemisphere - sadness and negative emotions, damage leads to indifference or euphoria
Amygdala and emotions
- Recognizing fear in facial expressions
- Attaching emotions to memories
- Determining emotional significance of event and adjusting emotion accordingly
- Stimulation leads to rage, fear
- Damage leads to loss of fear
Hypothalamus and emotions
- Regulates physical signs of emotions through ANS and pituitary gland
- Stimulation leads to pleasure, fear
- Damage leads to rage
Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome
- Body’s response to all types of stress is the same
- Three stages of body’s response to stress
3 stages of General Adaptation Syndrome
- Alarm reaction stage
- Resistance stage
- Exhaustion stage
Alarm reaction stage in General Adaptation Syndrome
Increased activity in SNS > increased energy > fight-or-flight response
Resistance stage in General Adaptation Syndrome
(If stressor from alarm reaction stage persists)
1. Some physical sensations return to normal
2. Cortisol remains elevated to give body enough energy to cope
Exhaustion stage in General Adaptation Syndrome
(If stressor from alarm reaction stage and resistance stage persists)
1. Physical processes break down
Example: job-related satisfaction, commitment, and stress
Main critique of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome
Responses to stress are not always the same and can depend on the type of stress, genetics, previous experiences, etc.
McEwen’s Allostatic Load Model
- Brain is primary in stress because it determines what is stressful and how to respond to stress
- Amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex are most important
- Allostasis > allostatic state > allostatic load > allostatic overload
Allostasis (Allostatic Load Model)
Processes that allow the body to adapt to change and stabilize
Example: elevated blood pressure and cortisol
Allostatic state (Allostatic Load Model)
Allostasis processes being maintained for a time without consequences
Allostatic load (Allostatic Load Model)
Prolonged allostatic state (due to chronic stress or multiple acute stressors) that results in consequences on the body
Allostatic overload (Allostatic Load Model)
Prolonged allostatic overload that results in more severe consequences on the body
Can lead to weaker immune system, PTSD, depression, substance use, etc.
