Theories Of Emotions Flashcards
Definition of a theory of emotion?
Testable structure about its origin and emotion
Stimulus> arousal > label> emotion
What are the 4 key proponents of theories?
Antecedents (cause)
Biological given (genetically given aspects)
Components
Integration (how different components of emotion are integrated together)
What are the 4 main classes of theories?
Evolutionary
Physiological
Cognitive/appraisal
Physiological constructionist
Historical and philosophical thought
Emotions/ passions were at odds with reason (preferred)
Reason was uniquely human & a virtue
Emotions were primitive and animalistic and displays of emotion were vulgar
Emotion interferes with reason
There was also an opposing argument that
-emotions were functional and help survival
-Emotions are a form of reasoning that help guide behaviour
-Reasoning is influenced by emotion
-Expressing emotion is often socially adaptive
What do Evolutionary theories say?
Emotions are biologically evolved
Functional responses to environmental challenges and opportunities
artefacts of evolution -advantages and adaptive for survival
Emotions exist to serve an adaptive role and improve chance of survival
Self- They motivate people to respond quickly to the environment eg danger
Others- if you can interpret other people’s emotions correctly you can respond right and avoid danger
Universal recognised facial expressions
Darwin- facials are serviceable habits evolved to be communicative signals.
Evolutionary theories say the cause is
Evolved in response to recurring survival challenges
Stimuli biologically prepares someone to respond
Evolutionary theory. What are the Biological Givens?
Emotions are biologically given
Basic emotions
Not learned
Occur automatically, Innate components
Unique face or voice expression
Cause specific physiological changes
Result in an adaptive behaviour response
Similar to all people
Evolutionary theories - components. What/ how does this theory believe components work?
Components of an emotion state cohere in an effective program (biologically occurred pattern) and typically always occur
What are Physiological theories about?
Responses within the body are responsible for emotions
The brain and body as reactive “emotion circuits” and both interpret physiological changes in determining emotion
James-Lange’s theory
Why do emotions occur and what’s the timeline deal?
Emotions occur as result to physiological reactions to events
Eg-External stimulus> physiological arousal > we interpret this- > only after interp can emotion be experienced
Emotional reaction depends on how you interpret the physical reactions
Cannon-Bard’s challenges to James- Lange
People can experience physiological reactions linked to emotions without feeling the emotions
Emotions happen to quickly to be products of physical states
Same physiological responses but different emotions
What are Appraisal theories about?
One of the most used theories
Specific emotion depends on how a person appraises an event
Emotions arise depending on how a person judges (appraises) an event based on their goals and interests
Appraisal theories -complex sequence of reaction to a stimulus
Cognitive evaluation or appraisal
Subjective changes
Autonomic and neural arousal
Impulses to action and behaviour designed to have impact on the stimulus that indicated the sequence
Appraisal theories- Schachter-Singer’s theory explained
Physiological arousal > individual must identify the reason for it > to experience and label it as an emotion
Stimulus leads to physiological response > cognitively interpreted and labeled = emotion
Appraisal theories- Schacter-Singer Theory’s links to James-Lange
Links to James-Lange
- People infer emotions based on physiological responses.
- Critical factor- situation and cognitive interpretations people use to label it
Cognitive appraisal theory (who and when)?
Magda Arnold (appraisal)
Adapted by Richard Lazarus (cognitive meditational theory)
60s and 70s and continues to be developed now
Cognitive appraisal theories - Arnold (1960)
What was proposed?
Initial appraisal starts emotional sequence > arousing physiological reactions + emotional experience
2 appraisals happen
Intuitive - automatic a necessary to experience emotion
Rational - reflective- used to enhance the intuitive
Cognitive appraisal theories - Lazarus (1991)
Adapted appraisal theory to develop cognitive-mediational theory
Focus remains- emotions are determined by our appraisal of the stimulus, but suggests immediate, unconscious appraisals mediate the stimulus and response
2 cognitive appraisals
Primary- establishes significance of an event’s meaning
Secondary- assess the ability to cope with the event’s consequences
Primary- Upon encountering a stressor- judge potential threat
Secondary- determines if effective options are available to manage
Stress is likely to result if stressor is threatening or not enough options are available
Lazarus’ Cognitive Meditational Theory (flow thing)
Stressor>
primary appraisal
Threat or Challenge > potential for gain or growth
/
May lead to harm, loss or negative consequences
/
Secondary appraisal (options? Are these effective?)> effective = low threat
/
Ineffective or no options > high threat
What are the antecedents /causes in Appraisal theories
Specific emotions come from distinct appraisal patterns
Early theories argued appraisal had to happen for emotion to occur
Recent theories argue appraisals are more descriptive of the experience
Stimulus > appraisals = emotion
Biological givens of Appraisal theories
2 dimensions are innate or primary
1) novelty - detection of change in the environment
2) valence- wether stimulus is good (approach) or bad (avoid)
Secondary- requires learning and higher-order mental processes
Appraisal theories - what are the Components and integration?
Contemporary theorists - certain appraisals cause certain components or behavioural responses
No affect programs (like evolutionary theories set rules)
What is Physiological Constructionism about?
Not universal- Variability - when and how emotions occur (individual and cultural levels)
Cultures transmit emotion concepts that shape how feeling is experienced and expressed
Emotions given meaning by categorisation
No basic emotions
not Discrete biological entities, but they are developed in culture and upbringing and language (not built in)
The brain predicts and categorises the present moment via interoceptive Predictions and emotion concepts from one’s culture to construct an instance of emotion
Emotions are made from more basic parts
Emotions are created not triggered
Emotions are combination of physical properties, flexible brain that why is it self to whatever environment it develops in such as culture and upbringing
Emotions are real but not like molecules all neurons are real
Appraisal and constructionist theories agree on…
Different components of emotion can be separate
They have separate time courses
Inevitable sets of components don’t accompany all emotional episodes
Psychological constructionism – what are the antecedents/ causes?
Basic feeling states called core affect are interpreted as discrete emotion states
Interpretation involves applying emotion categories to affective state
Emotion categories depend on context, prior experience and knowledge (associated learning)
Interpretation shapes expressions and other components, and informs how you interpret the event and your reaction
Some emotions are culturally specific
Ability to experience an emotion depends on your conceptual knowledge of it (only have caught affect)
Psychological constructionism flow chart thing
Stimulus > core affect > categorisation = emotion
Biological givens of the psychological constructionism theory
All supposedly discrete emotion state can be described by two dimensions
1) complex model (Russell)
2) core effect. Valence and arousal
Psychological constructionism - what are the Components and integration?
Components of a psychological construct emotion don’t necessarily look similar across all instances or people
Components do not necessarily cohere
What is the integration of Evolutionary theories?
- Brain state
- Physiological changes
- Expression
- Changes to cognition and perception
- Subjective feeling
- Action tendency
(because of this humanity survives and moves forward)
James-Lange’s timeline description process
Stimulus > reaction > emotion
Cannon-Bard’s theory
People can experience physiological arousal and psychological/emotional simultaneously
Emotion/physiological reaction-as result when thalamus sends message to the brain in response to stimulus
Brain receives signals triggering emotional experience simultaneously
Cannon-Bard’s Theory timeline process
Stimulus > physical reaction + emotion
Why/ When did appraisal theories occur?
1960s
Reaction to perceived rigidity - evolutionary theories biologically prepared
People respond differently
Schachter-Singer’s theory timeline
Stimulus >arousal > label =emotion
Stimulus > physiological reaction+cognition = emotion
Appraisal theory Schachter-Singer’s links to Cannon-Bard
Links to Cannon-Bard
- Similar physiological responses can produce varying outcomes
- Eg. Sweaty palms in a test could be nerves, but on a date could be affection/love
What is Cognitive Appraisal theory
Emotions extracted from our ‘appraisals’ (evaluation, interpretations and explanations) of events
Appraisals lead to different emotions for different people
What are the 2 types of appraisal (think Lazarus)
2 cognitive appraisals
Primary- establishes significance of an event’s meaning
Secondary- assess the ability to cope with the event’s consequences
Primary- Upon encountering a stressor- judge potential threat
Secondary- determines if effective options are available to manage
Stress is likely to result if stressor is threatening or not enough options are available
