Unit 2 Topic 5 - Emotion and Motivation

Question 1

Compare the following theories of emotion (2.5.1.1)

• Two Factor (Schachter + Singer, 1962)
• Appraisal (Richard Lazarus, 1982)

Answer 1

Two Factor:
- assigned a cognitive label to the response
- must be physiological arousal and attribution - without these we would not experience emotion
- process includes, external stimulus > general physiological arousal > cognitive appraisal of arousal (attribution) > subjective experience of emotion > behaviour
Appraisal:
- positive evaluation results in positive emotions
- highly subjective
- personal interpretations to situations
- two types of appraisal, primary (irrelevant, beneficial or stressful), or secondary (‘what can be done’)

Question 2

Explain the biological nature of cognitive appraisal (2.5.1.3)

Answer 2

Parts of the Brain:
Thalamus: receiver
Amygdala: recognition
Hippocampus: output - emotionally charged stimulus
Hypothalamus: output - response to threat stimulus

Question 3

Describe factors that influence happiness (2.5.1.4)

Answer 3

Happiness is subjective experience, a persons enjoyment or satisfaction
Age: limited effects, youth can experience intense happiness
Physical Health: peak health increases happiness generally
Culture: cultural expectations may influence happiness
Religion: more religious increases happiness generally
Income + Employment: being employed with good income typically reduces stress, however, money does not buy happiness