Wk3 - Introduction to Emotion Flashcards
What is the basis of the dimensional view of emotions?
We can conceptualise emotions on a continuous, 2D dimensional space
Unpleasant - pleasant
Not aroused - aroused
What would we expect to see if the dimensional theory of emotions was true?
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.
What is a limitation of the dimensional view of emotions?
Too simplistic.
There is no evidence to support that this is how emotions work.
What is the categorical view of emotions?
There are 6 basic categories of emotions that are independent of culture and species
What are the 6 basic emotions?
Happy Sad Fear Anger Surprise Disgust
Is there more evidence to support the dimensional or categorical view of emotions?
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
Which 3 basic emotions are action schemas/have a basis in evolutionary survival instincts?
Fear
Disgust
Anger
What urge is anger?
Urge to attack
What urge is fear?
Urge to escape
What urge is disgust?
Urge to expel
What is a limitation of the categorical view of emotions?
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.
What are issues with studying complex emotions?
Complex emotions are hard to define
What are some examples of complex emotions?
Jealousy, pride, guilt, embarrassment
What are complex emotions likely to involve that makes them harder to define?
Attributional processes
Elements of awareness of oneself in relation to other people
Awareness of others’ attitude to oneself
What is a self-conscious emotion?
Guilt
How is guilt a self-conscious emotion?
We would have to have some awareness of how we had maybe harmed somebody else
How is pride a complex emotion?
We can’t have a feeling of pride without the need to make some sort of comparison with someone/something
What was the single emotion circuit originally called that produced emotions?
The Papez circuit
What was the Papez circuit thought to be made up of?
A circuit of limbic structures
What is the single emotion circuit now thought to be involved in producing emotions?
The Limbic System
How does the limbic system differ from the Papez circuit?
The limbic system is an extended version of the Papez circuit which contains the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex
List the 7 structures that form the limbic system
Anterior cingulate cortex Posterior cingulate cortex Fornix Thalamus Hypothalamus Amygdala Hippocampus
What are 2 limitations of the limbic system structures being thought to be involved with emotion?
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
What is a limitation of thinking that there is a single emotion circuit which produces emotion?
It is too simplistic to imagine that just one system underlies all emotions. There are so many emotions.
What does contemporary emotion research now focus on?
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
