Natural Scientific Approaches Flashcards
What is the natural scientific approach to studying emotions?
Involves studying emotions through measurable, observable, and biological phenomena, focusing on physiological, neurological, and evolutionary aspects
““[…] the social researcher is confronted with facts, events and data of a whole new structure.
His observational field, the social world […], has a specific structure of meaning and relevance
for the people who live, think and act within it”
Schütz, 1953
Which brain region is most commonly associated with emotion regulation?
Prefrontal Cortex
What are the three primary components of emotion?
physiological arousal, expressive behavior, and conscious experience
What is the role of the amygdala in processing emotions?
processes emotions like fear and aggression
plays a key role in emotional memory
Which neurotransmitter systems are heavily involved in emotion?
The dopamine, serotonin, and noradrelanine systems
How does the prefrontal cortex contribute to emotional regulation?
It helps regulate emotions by controlling impulses and assessing the consequences of emotional reactions
What is the relationship between the limbic system and emotions?
The limbic system (the amygdala and hippocampus) is heavily involved in processing and storing emotional experiences
According to Popper, what makes a statement scientific in the natural scientific paradigm?
A statement must be falsifiable, meaning it must be possible to refute it through evidence for it to be true (Null hypothesis)
What are the three main goals of emotion research in experimental laboratories?
Test predictions of specific emotion theories (e.g., linking facial expressions to emotions).
Test causal relationships (whether a state causes specific behavior)
Examine the influence of emotions on cognitive processes (e.g., solving moral dilemmas).
What are 5 common methods used to induce emotions in experiments?
Affective images
Recall of emotional memories
Films
Music
Scripted social interactions
What are two types of questionnaires used to measure emotions?
Verbal scales questionnaires : such as the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) or Likert Response scale
Non-verbal formats: such as the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM), which uses images
What is the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), and what does it measure?
FACS is an anatomically based coding system that measures changes in the face caused by 44 distinct muscular movements
How are EEG and fMRI used to study emotions?
EEG: Measures electrical activity in the brain, exploring hemispheric differences in positive and negative emotions
fMRI: Detects changes in blood oxygenation to create activation maps for tasks like emotion regulation
What physiological responses are commonly linked to emotions?
Electrodermal activity (indicates affect intensity through sweat)
Heart rate (linked to fear and attention)
Blood pressure (indicates engagement and stress)
What does the locationist account propose about emotions?
Emotions are tied to specific anatomical locations or networks in the brain
