Goals

• Understand the cognitive-behavioral triangle
• Describe the functions of emotions
• Describe the physiological aspects of emotions, being able to identify
  • Cannon-Bard theory
  • James-Lange theory
  • Two-factor theory
• Name the emotion regulation strategies
• Explain and give examples of the five-factor PERMA model

Definitions

• Arousal: The physiological part of emotion.

The Cognitive-Behavioral Triangle

Cognition <-> Behavior <-> Emotion ⮌

• Our emotions communicate to others what we’re feeling.
  • When we hide our emotions, others do not know what we are feeling.
    • People tend to trust emotions over the words we use to describe our feelings.
    • After we receive or give a gift, emotions let us know if the gift was well-received.
• Emotions in others and ourselves influence what we perceive.
  • When we see fear in others, we become more attentive.
  • When we are sad, physical hills seem insurmountable, heights seem higher.
• Some components of emotional expression are universal.
  • When displaying disgust, all people furrow their eyebrows.
• Some components are influenced by culture.
  • When displaying disgust, people from China lower their heads as well.

Emotions

The way we think/feel/act are all intertwined. - When we are feeling sad, it is harder for us to make a decision. The way we think/feel/act filters the way we see the world. - If we are happy when visiting a friend, that happiness carries over and increases the likelihood we like that friend and the chance we see them again.

Happiness/sadness are universal. Some emotions are dependent on culture.

• Greetings seen as friendly in the midwest may not be well-received in other parts of the world.

Physiological arousal from emotions is adaptive.

• Our strongest memories are tied to our most intense emotions. Strong emotions, positive or negative, cue our brain to remember events and later recall events tied to those memories.
• When we are afraid of something, our sympathetic nervous system prepares us for fight-or-flight.

Physiological Aspects of Emotion

• The Cannon-Bard theory
  • Proposes that emotions and arousal occur at the same time.
  • Arousal + Emotion
• The James-Lange theory
  • Proposes that emotion is the result of arousal.
  • Arousal -> Emotion
• The Schachter-Singer two-factor theory
  • Proposes that arousal and cognition combine to create emotion.
  • Arousal + Cognition -> Emotion

Emotion Regulation

Change what you do = change how you feel

• Situation Selection: Choose situation that is likely to increase pleasant feelings.
  • Don't come to class so you don't have to experience awkward silence w/ questions.
• Situation Modification: Change current situation to improve feelings.
  • During awkward silence when answering a question, leave the room to avoid awkwardness.
• Response Modulation: Change how you react or respond in the moment.
  • During awkward silence when answering a question, speak up to avoid awkward silence.
• Cognitive Change: Shift your perspective. How we think about a situation?
  • During awkward silence when answering a question, there is no awkward silence--only peace.
• Attentional Deployment: Shift your attention. Are we focused on an emotion or not?
  • During awkward silence when answering a question, think more about question than silence.

Misattribution of Arousal

The tendency for people to incorrectly label the source of the physiological arousal that they are experiencing

Positive Psychology

Martin Seligman, PhD

• Summarized the field when he became APA president in 2000 as, "Not good enough."
• From 1940s-2000, four editions of diagnostic classification of mental illness. Exceptional progress for a science in this time frame, but...
• What about the science of mental wellness?

PERMA

A science of wellbeing

• Positive Emotions
• Engagement
• Relationships
• Meaning
• Achievement