Understanding Emotional

Experiences

EmotionsFeelings that generally have both

physiological and cognitive elements and that influence behavior.

Increase in blood pressure and heart rateMore rapid respirationDilation of the pupil of the eyeIncrease in perspirationDecrease in motility of the gastrointestinal

tractRaising of the skin hairs

Functions of Emotions

Preparing us for action.Shaping our future behavior.

Helping us interact more effectively with others.

Determining the Range of Emotions: Labeling Our Feelings

LoveInfatuationJoyBlissPrideAngerAnnoyanceHostility

JealousySadnessAgonyGriefLonelinessFearHorrorWorry

Roots of Emotions

James-Lange Theory

The belief that emotional experience is a reaction to bodily events occurring as a result of an external situation.

For every major emotion there is an accompanying physiological or gut reaction of internal organs – called a visceral experience

Visceral experience and emotional experience

“I feel sad because I am crying.”

Cannon-Bard Theory

The belief that both physiological arousal and emotional experience are produced simultaneously by the same nerve stimulus.

Schachter-Singer Theory

The belief that emotions are determined jointly by a nonspecific kind of physiological arousal and its interpretation, based on environmental cues.

When the source of physiological arousal is unclear, we may look to our surroundings to determine just what we are experiencing.

Neuroscience of Emotions

Amygdala – provides a link between the perception of an emotion-producing stimulus and the recall of that stimulus later

Do people in all cultures express emotion similarly?

Facial-affect program – activation of a set of nerve impulses that make the face display the appropriate expression

Display rules – guidelines that govern the appropriateness of showing emotion nonverbally

Facial-feedback hypothesis – the hypothesis that facial expressions not only reflect emotional experience but also help determine how people experience and label emotions

Six Primary Emotions

HappinessAngerSadnessSurpriseDisgustFear

Love Styles (John Lee)

Eros is love of appearance. They express frequent appreciation to their beloved of those ideal qualities.

Storge (Stor-gay) is a slowly developing affection. Love builds with time together. There is little evidence of passion or romance.

Ludus is love as play or game. They seek many interesting relationships. They have no experience of jealousy and can openly love several partners over the same period of time.

Mania is intense love. Manic lovers are obsessed with their lovers and feel intense jealousy at the threat of loss.

Pragma is practical love style. A compatible lover is sought, one who is similar in attitudes, interests and beliefs.

Agape is one-direction, altruistic love. It is a selfless and giving love style, a duty to love even when there are no returns.

Components of Love (Robert Sternberg)

Intimacy – close, warm feelingsPassion – primarily sexual urge or drive to love

Decision-commitment – is the short-term decision to love and the long-term commitment to maintain the love

Love Types (Sternberg)Liking is having only intimacy, without

decision-commitment or passion (true friendship)

Infatuation comes from having passion without intimacy or decision/commitment. It appears quickly and disappears almost as fast. It is typically not reciprocal.

Empty love is label for holding the decision/commitment component without intimacy or passion.

Romantic love is a combination of intimacy and passion. There is both liking and physical desire.

Companionate love combines the decision/commitment and intimacy components. Passion has faded.

Fatuous love lacks intimacy but has sufficient passion and decision/commitment. Passion is the primary basis for a marriage.

Consummate love combines all three components. It is the society’s ideal of a love relationship.

Absence of the three components is called nonlove.