Myers’ PSYCHOLOGY

(7th Ed)

Chapter 13

Emotion

James A. McCubbin, PhDClemson University

Worth Publishers

Fact vs. Falsehood 1. Some emotional responses involve no conscious thinking. 2. Scientists have identified subtle differences in the brain

circuit and hormones associated with different emotions. 3. The polygraph has proven to be extremely effective in

detecting lies. 4. Introverts are superior to extraverts at reading others’

emotions. 5. Facial expressions associated with emotions such as

happiness and fear are the same the world over. 6. Imitating others’ facial expression helps us feel what they

are feeling. 7. We seem to be biologically prepared to learn some fears

more quickly than others. 8. Occasionally blowing off steam seems to reduce anger and

aggression in the long run. 9. State lottery winners report little change in their general life

happiness. 10. Researchers have found that people with a higher level of

education tend to be happier.

Emotion

Emotiona response of the whole organism

physiological arousalexpressive behaviorsconscious experience

Theories of EmotionDoes your heart pound because you are afraid... or are you afraid because you feel your heart pounding?

James-Lange Theory of Emotion Experience of emotion is awareness

of physiological responses to emotion-arousing stimuli (feelings follow body’s response)

Fear(emotion)

Poundingheart

(arousal)

Sight of oncoming

car(perception of

stimulus)

Cannon-BardTheory of Emotion

Emotion-arousing stimuli simultaneously trigger: physiological

responses subjective

experience of emotion

Sight of oncoming

car(perception of

stimulus)

Poundingheart

(arousal)

Fear(emotion)

Schachter’s Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

To experience emotion one must: be physically

aroused cognitively

label the arousal

Cognitivelabel

“I’m afraid”

Fear(emotion)

Sight of oncoming

car(perception of

stimulus)

Poundingheart

(arousal)

Cognition and Emotion The brain’s shortcut for emotions

In what order????

Sometimes we feel before we thinkSometimes we must appraise an

event and response before the feeling

Interpretations can lead to: Personalization (all is directed at you) Generalization (blow out of proportion)

Two Routes to Emotion

Two Dimensions of Emotion

Positivevalence

Negativevalence

Higharousal

Lowarousal

pleasantrelaxation joy

sadnessfear

anger

Emotion and PhysiologyAutonomic nervous system controls

physiological arousal

Sympatheticdivision (arousing)

Pupils dilate

Decreases

Perspires

Increases

Accelerates

Inhibits

Secrete stresshormones

Parasympatheticdivision (calming)

Pupils contract

Increases

Dries

Decreases

Slows

Activates

Decreasessecretion of

stress hormones

EYES

SALIVATION

SKIN

RESPIRATION

HEART

DIGESTION

ADRENALGLANDS

Arousal and Performance

Performance peaks at lower levels of arousal for difficult tasks, and at higher levels for easy or well-learned tasks

Physiology of Specific Emotions

Fear, anger and sexual arousal are similar to observer

They feel very differentFear and rage differ in finger temperature

and hormone secretionFear and joy differ in facial musclesDifferent parts of the amygdala control eachRight prefrontal cortex = negative (disgust

and depression)Left frontal cortex = happy (more dopamine)

Emotion-Lie Detectors

Polygraph machine commonly used in

attempts to detect lies measures several of the

physiological responses accompanying emotion perspiration cardiovascular breathing changes

Emotion--A Polygraph Examination

Emotion--Lie Detectors

Control Question Up to age 18, did you ever

physically harm anyone? Relevant Question

Did [the deceased] threaten to harm you in any way?

Relevant > Control --> Lie

Emotion--Lie Detectors

Control question

Relevantquestion

Control question

Relevantquestion(a) (b)

Respiration

Perspiration

Heart rate

Emotion--Lie Detectors

50 Innocents 50 Thieves

1/3 of innocent declared guilty

1/4 of guilty declared innocent (from Kleinmuntz & Szucko, 1984)

Percentage

Innocentpeople

Guiltypeople

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Judged innocent by polygraphJudged guilty by polygraph

Emotion--Lie Detectors

Is 70% accuracy good? Assume 5% of 1000 employees actually

guilty test all employees 285 will be wrongly accused

What about 95% accuracy? Assume 1 in 1000 employees actually

guilty test all employees (including 999 innocents) 50 wrongly declared guilty 1 of 51 testing positive are guilty (~2%)