models of emotion- dimensional and appraisal approaches to emotion

Question 1

explain the dimensional approach

Answer 1

The dimensional emotion theory states that emotions are a combination of one or more psychological dimensions (Frijida and Mesquita, 1998). This theory defines emotion in terms of one or more dimensions where usually one of them relates to the intensity of emotions.

• Current dimensional theories are based on the general idea of Wundt’s theory about emotional experience
   one of the first dimensional theories is Wundt’s theory (1897), three basic dimensions to describe emotional feeling were proposed: pleasure/displeasure, excitement/inhibition, and tension/relaxation

 * Russel proposed it is possible to represent emotions using a circle in which the dimension of valence indicating pleasure/displeasure and the arousal dimension (weak/strong).
* This approach is the most commonly used for measuring subjective emotional experience

Question 2

dimensional approach: positive and negative affect

Answer 2

 Another commonly used dimensional approach is to understand affective experience as comprised of positive and negative affect
 The orthogonal positive and negative affect dimensions emerge after rotating the pleasantness-arousal circumplex model (Watson & Tellegen, 1985)
 There is evidence that positive and negative affects are linked to different neurobiological networks (Rohr et al., 2013)
 Moreover, it is suggested that positive affect and negative affect corresponds to extraversion and neuroticism respectively (Meyer & Shack, 1989)

Question 3

criticisms of dimensional theories of emotion

Answer 3

 These models’ ability to differentiate between some emotions, e.g., fear and anger, has been questioned
 As these models are based on verbal reports, the bi-dimensional structure may actually reflect the structure of the language
 There is no real consensus on the elementary dimensions. Different proposals of a third dimension have been raised. And Fontaine et al. (2007) have shown with multi-national data that four dimensions are necessary
 The dimensional approach centers only on subjective feeling; yet the underlying elicitation mechanisms are likely not bipolar

Question 4

appraisal theories of emotion

Answer 4

  Appraisal theories of emotion has two central premises: – emotion is an information processing system – an evaluative cognitive processing, known as appraisal, determines the elicitation of an emotion
 Specifically, when an event occurs, an individual would evaluate this event based on a set of standard criteria
 These evaluations are often automatic and unconscious
 Different emotions can be described by different patterns of appraisal – a claim with considerable empirical support
 Appraisal is all about judgment

Question 5

Lazarus’ theory of emotion

Answer 5

 According to Lazarus (1990), the appraisal process results in identification of a “core relational theme“, and each distinct theme results in a distinct emotion – E.g., an ambiguous danger or threat produces anxiety; loss and helplessness produce sadness; offense to oneself or those one identifies with produces anger, and so on
 Two global appraisal issues are identified:
 – Primary appraisal – whether and how the encounter is relevant to the person’s well-being
 – Secondary appraisal – the person’s resources and coping options

Question 6

scherer’s appraisal theory (the component process model)

Answer 6

 According to Scherer (2001), emotion is multidimensional and comprises five components:
 a) a stimulus or situation appraising component enabling the elicitation and differentiation of emotions
 b) a physiological component (bodily changes);
 c) a motor expression component both in terms of facial and vocal expression as well as posture and gestures;
 d) a motivational component including action tendencies (e.g. approaching or avoiding) and finally
 e) a subjective feeling component reflecting felt emotional experience

Question 7

The component process model

Answer 7

 The component process model (CMP; Scherer, 2001) regards cognitive appraisal as a process in which we continuously appraise and reappraise our environment
 The CPM divides appraisal into four different stages:
 1) relevance check
 2) implications check
 3) coping potential check
 4) normative significance evaluation
 Each stage contains specific appraisal dimensions called stimulus evaluation checks

Question 8

issues with appraisal theories of emotion

Answer 8

 Problems with appraisal theories of emotion
 The claim that appraisal is a cause of emotion is incompatible with the claim that appraisal is a part of emotion
 That appraisal is a cause of emotion is difficult to test, as it requires manipulation of appraisal independent of other variables (e.g. the event)
 In fact, whether appraisal and emotion are dissociable is questionable
 Moreover, not all theorists accept the idea of automatic and unconscious appraisal, which is difficult to measure empirically
 That said, the role of appraisal in emotion is well-accepted