Emotions Paper

Attempts to define “emotion” have proved to be rather difficult. Instead of searching for a comprehensive definition, Gross (2011) describes the three core features of emotions. First, emotions occur when an individual decides that a situation is relevant to his or her goals. Second, emotions are multi-faceted, and involve both subjective and physiological experiences, as well as behaviors. The third feature involves the authoritative nature of emotions. They have the powerful ability to interrupt ongoing processes, assert their priority over other activities, and force their way into awareness. For example, some traditions describe emotions as “disorganized interruptions of mental activity” (Salovey & Mayer, 1989). Emotions are such an

Christakis and Fowler suggest that emotions most likely began in early human evolutionary stages to promote the bonding of mother and child; later expanding to other family members, then non family members. The ability to read moods and pass them onto each other could have aided early humans in their everyday activities, due to the lack of fully developed verbal communication. It is also stated, emotions travel faster than words. It is faster to read an individual’s face to understand their emotions than it is to wait for the verbal communication that comes along with it; which leads into what the authors call Emotional

In chapter 8 of Handbook of Emotions, The Evolutionary Psychology of the Emotions and Their Relationship to Internal Regulatory Variables, Tooby & Cosmides (2008) thoroughly discuss the theories of how emotions came to be. The overall conclusion is that emotions did not inadvertently occur, but instead were specifically designed and evolved to solve distinct issues that would affect the probability of fitness. Emotions evolved to utilize physical responses based on environmental cues in order to promote the individual’s overall success.

The term mindfulness refers to paying attention to the present-moment experience without judgement or reactiveness (Bajaj, Gupta, & Pande, 2016). Additionally, mindfulness emphasises acknowledgment and acceptance of thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations and directing attention to external events and stimuli (Morgan et al., 2014). When mindful, a person has greater objectivity as they focus less on self-interest or thoughts of the past or future therefore do not 'jump to conclusions' when processing experiences. Social anxiety in adolescents is experienced commonly as fearing social situations such as, participating in social events, public speaking, social talk and test situations in case embarrassment or negative evaluation may occur. (Essau, Conradt, & Peterman, 1999). Furthermore, social anxiety activates negative

Those with botox injections found that making a “frowning face” was difficult. As a result, those people were found to be a more happier, less anxious group.

A genogram is frequently used by psychologists as a way to map out relationships in a family and help gain insight into how its’ members interact. I was married for 17 years to someone whose family of origin shared very few personality traits with the members of my own family. However I am struck by the similarities in the way both of our families function. Very similar patterns of functioning become clear on the genogram diagram. It put a lot of issues into perspective as I proceed through the process of interviewing, diagramming, and writing about my history.

The past few decades have seen increasing interest in emotion research. Although much remains to be learned, agreement is beginning to emerge regarding the way emotion should be viewed. Emotions provide a unique source of information for individuals about their environment, which informs and shapes their thoughts, actions, and subsequent feelings, and there is a growing view that emotion information can be used more or less intelligently. A notion central to emotional intelligence theory is that individuals differ in their ability to perceive, understand and use emotional information, and this ability significantly contributes to intellectual and emotional well-being and growth.

Slide 1: According to Robbins & Judge (2015) Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to detect and manage emotions, perceive emotions in yourself and others, understand the meaning of emotions and regulate ones emotions (p.104). Examples of Emotional Intelligence (EI) (1) understanding your emotions (2) thinking rationally about your actions before taking action and (3) putting yourself in others shoes. If you are self-aware, you always know how you feel, your emotions, and your actions can affect individuals around you. EI varies and the best way to explain it is by giving examples.

Through looking at previous research, Jones and Wirtz derived that emotion is based on the appraisal of an event, rather than the event itself. This means that the emotions connected to an event are based on the personal relevance of an event (primary appraisal) and the options for coping (secondary appraisal). Because action tendencies emotions to outward expressions, it is these appraisals that need to be addressed in order to bring about emotional change. Cognitive reappraisal is the process of going about changing these initial appraisals.

Researchers have debated about the phenomenon with emotions. Debates on this topic have and will continue to for many more years. Researchers have attempted to understand why one has emotions and came up with the five different theories. The first theory is the James-Lange theory, which argues that an event can cause physiological arousal first and, it can be interpret this as an arousal. Second theory is the Cannon-Bard theory that argues that all humans experience a physiological arousal and an emotional one at the same time. It still does not give any attention to the role of the thoughts or an outward

The affective theory links emotional response with its effect on the result such as ones mood, emotions or outlook. (Robbins & Judge, 2009). To add to that, Fisher explains that there are many basic emotions, however there are only two basic moods- negative and positive (Fisher, 2012). From the description Gail gave on the correlation between emotions and mood along with the affective events theory, I begin to recall my own experience. I remember a team member having a very negative attitude toward my team members. When we approached her it

For this week’s discussion post, I will be discussing how nurses use emotion management to protect their own psychological and emotional well-being on and off the job. In reference to the article, venting to peers is the most recognized method of managing high levels of emotions, this is done venting to colleagues, who can relate because they too share the same environment. Another equally effective method often used is reconstructing difficult situations into a positive light. For instance, a patient who has passed away can be recognized as a relief of suffering (Hammonds & Cadge, 2014, p. 166).

There are many different theories of emotion and how it is interrelated with physiological change. In the 19th Century, the James-Lange theory suggested that bodily responses are the key to emotion. Their theory was that a changed situation leads to a physiological response. There is some modern day evidence that backs up this theory as emotion has been profoundly linked to brain activity. This theory explains the role of the limbic system and neurochemicals being heavily associated with emotion, for example increased serotonin levels have been found to create and maintain a ‘happy’ feeling. In 1962, Singer and Schachter added that the above pathway can be

Chapter 1 explains the work of a Harvard psychologist named William James. William published the article “What is an Emotion?” in a philosophical journal entitled Mind in 1884. His paper is an argument for the primacy and necessity of bodily systems in producing emotional feelings. James-Lange theory states that physiological arousal instigates the experience of emotion. A Harvard physiologist, Walter Cannon, roundly criticized James’ theory, claiming that, according to the Cannon Bard theory, physiological changes follow emotional expression.

26. Gregg, Melissa and Gregory J. Seigworth, eds, The affect theory reader (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2010)