Learning activity 5 Flashcards
What are emotions: Physiological factors:
strong emotions are generally accompanied by physiological changes. For example, fear increases heart rate, blood pressure, adrenaline secretions, and blood sugar levels but slows digestion and pupil dilation
What are emotions: Nonverbal reactions:
there is a connection between nonverbal reactions and verbalizing emotions. Nonverbal behaviour can also induce emotional states. External reactions Nonverbal reactions could be blushing, sweating, or shaking, and involve behavior a distinctive.
What are emotions: Cognitive interpretations/reappraisal
the label and individual apply to these physical symptoms determine whether symptoms will be experienced or interpreted. How we think about or interpret an event affects how it is experienced.
Reappraisal is rethinking the meaning of emotionally charged events in ways that alter their emotional impact.
What are emotions: Verbal expressions
sometimes words are necessary to express feelings. “I’m angry” is clearer and more helpful than stomping out of the room.
What are emotions: Primary and mixed emotions
primary emotions are basic emotions such as anger, joy, fear, and sadness. Mixed emotions are feeling two or more conflicting emotions at the same time.
What are emotions: Intense and mild emotions
emotions with different degrees of intensity. Can often be an understatement and an overstatement.
What are emotions: intensity of emotions
when people can’t talk about their emotions constructively, it can result in a higher intensity of emotions such as anxiety and depression, and misdirected aggression. Emotion coaching and emotion dismissing. The inability to constructively express emotions can lead to social/ emotional problems.
Influences on emotional expression: Personality
extroverted people report more positive emotions than do less extroverted individuals. Likewise, people with neurotic personalities, who tend to worry, feel anxious or be apprehensive, report more negative emotions. However, it does not have to govern your communication satisfaction. Personality traits and personality types influence emotional expression.
Influences on emotional expression: culture
while people from different cultures generally experience the same emotions, the similar events can generate different feelings.
Influences on emotional expression: Gender
biological sex and gender riles shape how women and men experience and express their emotions. For example, women are more attuned to emotions than men, both within and across cultures. (not really covered in exam).
Influences on emotional expression: social conventions
refer to the notion of acting in ways that are acceptable within our society. For instance, while expressions of emotion are rare, those that are shared are usually positive. Communicators are often reluctant to send messages that embarrass or threaten the “face” of others.
Influences on emotional expression: Social media/ Fear of disclosure
- communicators generally express more emotion online than in face-to-face contexts. Can be good but also hazardous (such as venting) to interpersonal relations and it may not make you feel better
- our society’s discouragement of emotional expression makes self-disclosure emotionally risky. Expressions of vulnerability or affection are subject to misinterpretation.
Influences on emotional expression: emotional contagion
the process by which emotions are transferred from one person to another. Our emotions are influenced by the feelings of those around us.
Guidelines for expressing emotions: Recognize your feelings
some people are acutely aware of their emotional states and use that knowledge to make important decisions. By contrast, people with low affective orientation are usually unaware of their emotional states and tend to regard feelings as useless or unimportant. Being aware and/or being able to pinpoint emotions can help you understand and cope with their meaning.
Guidelines for expressing emotions: recognize when to act on your feelings:
understanding the difference between having feelings and acting them out can help you express yourself constructively in tough situations. For instance, if you are upset with a friend is it possible to explore why you feel upset? Expressing your feeling might open the door to resolving what’s bothering you.