G8: Cognitive and emotion

Question 1

highlights how our cognitive evaluations (appraisals) of a situation shape the emotional response we experience.

Answer 1

appraisal theory

Question 2

two (2) main appraisal theories.

Answer 2

I. Structural Theory
2. Process theory

Question 3

focuses on identifying the different categories of appraisals that contribute to emotions.

Answer 3

Structural theory

Question 4

this looks at how we go about appraising a situation, step-by-step. Therefore, it is said that this theory dives deeper into the actual process of appraisal compared to structural theory. this involves considering the event itself, our own goals and vulnerabilities, and as well as our corresponding coping mechanisms.

Answer 4

process theory

Question 5

is an important psychological process that allows us to manage the intensity, duration, and expression of our emotions. It’s not about bottling up emotions or pretending they don’t exist.
Instead, this is a toolbox of different techniques that we can use to deal with challenging situations.

Answer 5

Emotion regulation

Question 6

_, in simple terms, refers to one’s emotions and feelings.
_, on the other hand, refers to one’s thinking and information processing.

Answer 6

Affect, Cognition

Question 7

: How important is the situation to your well-being and goals?

Answer 7

Motivational relevance

Question 8

: Does the situation help or hinder your goals?

Answer 8

Goal congruence

Question 9

: Is the situation positive or negative for you?

Answer 9

Pleasantness

Question 10

: How sure are you about the situation and its implications?

Answer 10

Certainty

Question 11

: the initial event or situation that grabs our attention.

Answer 11

Perceptual stimulus

Question 12

: Linking the stimulus to past experiences, memories, and general knowledge.

Answer 12

Associative processing

Question 13

: Analyzing the event or situation based on the information retrieved in Step 2.

Answer 13

Reasoning

Question 14

Following the step-by-step procedure of process theory, we form an overall appraisal of the situation. The main difference with structural theory is how individual differences can influence these emotions.

Answer 14

the outcome

Question 15

• Involves reframing a situation to alter its emotional impact.
• Example: After receiving a low grade on an exam, instead of saying “I’m a failure”, say “This exam doesn’t define me. I can improve on the next one.”

Answer 15

Cognitive Reappraisal

Question 16

• A classic technique for managing strong emotions.

Answer 16

Deep Breathing

Question 17

• Involves cultivating present-moment awareness.
• Done by acknowledging a difficult emotion when it arises but without getting swept away by the emotion.
• Assists in gaining additional perspective and preventing emotional reactions from escalating.

Answer 17

Mindfulness

Question 18

• The thoughts of people with anxiety often get stuck on potential threats and negative outcomes. This skewed appraisal of situations fuels anxious feelings and can lead to behaviors that reinforce the cycle.

Answer 18

Anxiety

Question 19

• People with depression tend to, among other things, interpret events in a more negative light, even neutral ones. This pessimistic appraisal can lead to feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. This vicious cycle continues as these negative emotions then fuel further negative thinking.

Answer 19

Depression

Question 20

• The natural tendency of people to prioritize threats. In people with anxiety, this bias is in overdrive.

Answer 20

Attentional bias

Question 21

• The tendency of people to assign negative appraisals on the events and situations happening around them.

Answer 21

Negative cognitive bias

Question 22

often lead to negative or detrimental emotional experiences.

Answer 22

Cognitive biases

Question 23

• People tend to seek information that confirms their beliefs, even if it’s inaccurate. For example, an anxious athlete might only remember past failures and ignore past successes, fueling their belief that they are “bad.”

Answer 23

Confirmation bias

Question 24

• The tendency of some people to immediately jump to the worst-case scenario.

Answer 24

Catastrophizing

Question 25

is a relatively new approach in psychology. It aims to directly change how cognitive biases influence our thinking patterns, which then leads to healthier emotional responses.

Answer 25

Cognitive bias modification (CBM)

Question 26

• This technique targets the attentional bias common in people with anxiety disorders.
• The goal is to train people to disengage their attention from negative images (threats) and shift their focus to positive or neutral ones.
• Repeating this technique aims to weaken the bias over time, leading to reduced anxiety in real-life situations.

Answer 26

Attention Bias Modification (ABM)

Question 27

• Restructuring negative thoughts to lessen emotional impact.
• Therapists guide patients to identify and challenge their negative cognitive biases.
• For example, a patient with depression who has a tendency to catastrophize might be challenged to consider more realistic alternative outcomes to a situation.

Answer 27

Cognitive Restructuring