LU 10: Emotional Behaviors, Stress, and Health
The Nature of Emotion
measuring emotions
self-reports
behavioral observations
physiological measures
the autonomic nervous system
sympathetic NS
parasympathetic NS
emotion and perceived arousal
James-Lange Theory of emotions
emotions occur as a result of physiological reactions to events (physiological arousal -- psychological experience of emotion)
Schachter and Singer's theory of emotions
emotion based on two factors; physiological arousal and cognitive label
The Range of Emotions
facial expressions
producing; a voluntary smile and Duchenne smile
basic emotions
The useful of emotions
evolved-informative
happy moods and mildly sad moods
moral decisions; The Trolley Dilemma and Footbridge Dilemma
decision-making; case of Phineas Gage and Damasio's "Elliot"
emotional intelligence
A Survey of Emotions
Fear and Anxiety--amygdala
anxiety, arousal and lie detection; measures blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and electrical conduction of the skin in reaction to a series of questions
lie detection; methods
polygraph, guilty knowledge, thermal camera, microexpressions
Anger and Aggressive Behavior
causes of anger
frustration; unpleasant events, sexual context-violence
aggression; attribution of intention about the source of frustration
individual differences
violent factors; physically abused as a child, witnessed violence between one's parents, use of alcohol/drugs, history of impulsive acts, growing up in a violent neighborhood
Sexual Violence
rape; sexual contact obtained through violence, coercion, or threats
factors; have a history of hostility and aggression, history of childhood abuse, anger towards women.
controlling violence--guidance, supervision and consequences that are quick, certain and logical, frustration tolerance and non-violent negotiation, anger management training
Happiness
factors; money(wealth), good job, more leisure time, partner, healthy, religious faith, goals, marital status.
how; have happy parents, make decisions with long-term goals, have strong connections, involved in activities that matter to you
Sadness
reaction to loss--crying (severe sadness), increased SNS activity, feeling of relieve/relaxation afterwards
other emotions; surprise, disgust, contempt, embarrassment, guilt, shame and pride
Stress, Health and Coping
Health Psychology
Selye's concept of stress
stages; alarm--resistance--exhaustion
Measuring Stress; Lazarus view of stress
factors; interpretation of the event, reaction to it, the nature of the other events in lives
affects of stress on health
indirect effects; behavior changes-loss of sleep, use of substances/anxiety generated by negative suggestion (damage health in the long-term)
direct effects; prolonged SNS activation and cortisol exposure-inhibiting immune system functioning and comprising memory
heart disease; type A personality, type B personality
cancer
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
sufferers; nightmares, emotional outbursts, guilt, and flashbacks causing debilitating panic
Healing; The Psychological and The Somatic
healthy diet, regular exercise, avoidance of drugs and alcohol, regular doctor examinations, controlling negative emotions and managing stress
Coping with Stress
major strategies; problem-focused and emotional-focused (relaxation, exercise, distraction)
social support, reappraisal (rationalizations)