Wk3 - Introduction to Emotion

Question 1

What is the basis of the dimensional view of emotions?

Answer 1

We can conceptualise emotions on a continuous, 2D dimensional space

Unpleasant - pleasant
Not aroused - aroused

Question 2

What would we expect to see if the dimensional theory of emotions was true?

Answer 2

We would expect to find different brain regions that selectively process positive and negative emotions.

We would also expect to see patients with selective lesions to one of these dimensions. For example, if the pleasant area of the brain was damaged, someone would only be expected to experience unpleasant emotions.

Question 3

What is a limitation of the dimensional view of emotions?

Answer 3

Too simplistic.

There is no evidence to support that this is how emotions work.

Question 4

What is the categorical view of emotions?

Answer 4

There are 6 basic categories of emotions that are independent of culture and species

Question 5

What are the 6 basic emotions?

Answer 5

Happy
Sad
Fear
Anger
Surprise
Disgust

Question 6

Is there more evidence to support the dimensional or categorical view of emotions?

Answer 6

More evidence to support the categorical view:

Evolutionary basis/action schemas for disgust/fear/anger

We see particular neurobiological substrates of these basic emotions. We see more differentiation between neural substrates of emotions than would be expected if there was just a dimensional model

Question 7

Which 3 basic emotions are action schemas/have a basis in evolutionary survival instincts?

Answer 7

Fear
Disgust
Anger

Question 8

What urge is anger?

Answer 8

Urge to attack

Question 9

What urge is fear?

Answer 9

Urge to escape

Question 10

What urge is disgust?

Answer 10

Urge to expel

Question 11

What is a limitation of the categorical view of emotions?

Answer 11

Only 3 basic emotions have an evolutionary basis. Perhaps some emotions are more basic than others.

Doesn’t consider the copious amounts of complex emotions we feel.

Question 12

What are issues with studying complex emotions?

Answer 12

Complex emotions are hard to define

Question 13

What are some examples of complex emotions?

Answer 13

Jealousy, pride, guilt, embarrassment

Question 14

What are complex emotions likely to involve that makes them harder to define?

Answer 14

Attributional processes

Elements of awareness of oneself in relation to other people

Awareness of others’ attitude to oneself

Question 15

What is a self-conscious emotion?

Answer 15

Guilt

Question 16

How is guilt a self-conscious emotion?

Answer 16

We would have to have some awareness of how we had maybe harmed somebody else

Question 17

How is pride a complex emotion?

Answer 17

We can’t have a feeling of pride without the need to make some sort of comparison with someone/something

Question 18

What was the single emotion circuit originally called that produced emotions?

Answer 18

The Papez circuit

Question 19

What was the Papez circuit thought to be made up of?

Answer 19

A circuit of limbic structures

Question 20

What is the single emotion circuit now thought to be involved in producing emotions?

Answer 20

The Limbic System

Question 21

How does the limbic system differ from the Papez circuit?

Answer 21

The limbic system is an extended version of the Papez circuit which contains the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex

Question 22

List the 7 structures that form the limbic system

Answer 22

Anterior cingulate cortex
Posterior cingulate cortex
Fornix
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Amygdala
Hippocampus

Question 23

What are 2 limitations of the limbic system structures being thought to be involved with emotion?

Answer 23

Key regions in the limbic system do not primary carry out emotion-related processes. For example, the hippocampus is more involved in memory and more cognitive aspects.

There are regions of the brain which seem to be involved in emotion but are NOT part of the limbic system

Question 24

What is a limitation of thinking that there is a single emotion circuit which produces emotion?

Answer 24

It is too simplistic to imagine that just one system underlies all emotions. There are so many emotions.

Question 25

What does contemporary emotion research now focus on?

Answer 25

Focuses on different types of emotions and the distinct correlates of particular emotions (e.g., fear and disgust), rather than focusing on a single emotion system