EMOTIONS

EMOTIONS

EMOTIONS-The word "emotion" dates back to 1579, when it was adapted from the French word émouvoir, which means "to stir up". Emotions are intense feelings that are directed at someone or something.

"An emotion is a complex psychological state that involves three distinct components: a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response."

(Hockenbury & Hockenbury)

COMPONENTS OF EMOTIONIn Scherer's components processing model of emotion, five crucial elements of emotion are said to exist. 1. Cognitive appraisal: provides an evaluation of events

and objects2. Bodily symptoms: the physiological component of

emotional experience3. Action tendencies: a motivational component for the

preparation and direction of motor responses.4. Expression: facial and vocal expression almost always

accompanies an emotional state to communicate reaction and intention of actions

5. Feelings: the subjective experience of emotional state once it has occurred

CHANGES IN EMOTION-SUBJECTIVE FEELINGSSubjective feelings cannot be observed; instead, the person experiencing the emotion must describe it to others, and each person's description and interpretation of a feeling may be slightly different. E.g.- Two people falling in love will not experience or describe their feeling in exactly the same ways.

PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING EMOTION1. increases or decreases in heart rate, 2. piloerection, 3. Sweating4. Gastrointestinal motility 5. These responses are brought about by changes

in activity in the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric components of the visceral motor system, which govern smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands throughout the body. prepare the body to either run away or fight, which is called the "fight or flight" reaction.

EXPRESSIVE BEHAVIOR signs of emotions can include fainting, a flushed face, muscle tensing, facial expressions, tone of voice, rapid breathing, restlessness, or other body language. The outward expression of an emotion gives other people clues to what someone is experiencing and helps to regulate social interactions.

THEORIES OF EMOTION-1. James-Lange Theory2. Cannon-Bard Theory3. Schachter-Singer Theory4. Lazarus Theory5. Facial Feedback Theory

James-Lange TheoryThe James-Lange theory of emotion argues that an event causes physiological arousal first and then we interpret this arousal. Only after our interpretation of the arousal can we experience emotion. If the arousal is not noticed or is not given any thought, then we will not experience any emotion based on this event.EXAMPLE: You are walking down a dark alley late at night. You hear footsteps behind you and you begin to tremble, your heart beats faster, and your breathing deepens. You notice these physiological changes and interpret them as your body’s preparation for a fearful situation. You then experience fear.

Cannon-Bard TheoryThe Cannon-Bard theory argues that we experience physiological arousal and emotional at the same time.EXAMPLE: You are walking down a dark alley late at night. You hear footsteps behind you and you begin to tremble, your heart beats faster, and your breathing deepens. At the same time as these physiological changes occur you also experience the emotion of fear.

Schachter-Singer Theory

According to this theory, an event causes physiological arousal first.  You must then identify a reason for this arousal and then you are able to experience and label the emotion.

EXAMPLE:  You are walking down a dark alley late at night.  You hear footsteps behind you and you begin to tremble, your heart beats faster, and your breathing deepens.  Upon noticing this arousal you realize that is comes from the fact that you are walking down a dark alley by yourself.  This behavior is dangerous and therefore you feel the emotion of fear.

Lazarus TheoryLazarus Theory states that a thought must come before any emotion or physiological arousal. In other words, you must first think about your situation before you can experience an emotion.EXAMPLE: You are walking down a dark alley late at night. You hear footsteps behind you and you think it may be a mugger so you begin to tremble, your heart beats faster, and your breathing deepens and at the same time experience fear.

Facial Feedback TheoryAccording to the facial feedback theory, emotion is the experience of changes in our facial muscles. In other words, when we smile, we then experience pleasure, or happiness. When we frown, we then experience sadness. it is the changes in our facial muscles that cue our brains and provide the basis of our emotions. Just as there are an unlimited number of muscle configurations in our face, so to are there a seemingly unlimited number of emotions.EXAMPLE: You are walking down a dark alley late at night. You hear footsteps behind you and your eyes widen, your teeth clench and your brain interprets these facial changes as the expression of fear. Therefore you experience the emotion of fear.

Emotional adjustmentIn nurseIn patient

In nurse- Try to understand self, self conflicts and self physical

and emotional limits.Learn about the cause and physical reaction to

emotions. More we know better control over emotions.

Control stress in our life. Plan work to avoid emergencies.

Balance work with play, exercise and social activities.Practice relaxation by meditation.Use sense of humorTry to control unreasonable and excessive external

expressions of emotions.

In patients-Help the patient to feel welcome and easeUnderstand his negative emotionsPromote positive feelings develop empathyGive more patient with psychosomatic illness

Emotions in health and illness

Emotions that are freely experienced and expressed without judgment or attachment tend to flow fluidly. On the other hand, repressed emotions (especially fearful or negative ones) can zap mental energy and hope and lead to health problems, such as high blood pressure or digestive disorders.

Negativity and physical healthChronic stress from negative attitudes and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can upset the body's hormone balance and deplete the brain chemicals required for feelings of happiness, as well as have a damaging impact on the immune system. New scientific understandings have also identified the process by which chronic stress can actually decrease our lifespan by shortening our telomeres (the “end caps” of our DNA strands, which play a big role in aging). Poorly managed or repressed anger (hostility) is also related to health conditions, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, and infection

Psychometric assessment-1. Introspective report2. Observation of facial expressions3. Measurement of physiological changes in

emotion4. Polygraph lie detector

Alterations in emotions-Abrupt changes in mood experiencing conflicting emotions at the same time about the same thing, displaying inappropriate emotional responses such as mania or elation or euphoria (that is excessive joy), depression and extreme sadness or despair.