Contents
Lecture 5 – Emotion: Theories and Fear ................................................................................................. 2
Historic and Classic Theories of Emotion ............................................................................................ 2
History and Classic descriptions ...................................................................................................... 2
Emotion and Cognition ................................................................................................................... 3
Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Contemporary Approaches to Emotion .............................................................................................. 5
Basic Emotions ................................................................................................................................ 5
Constructionist Approach (Feldman-Barrett 2006) ........................................................................ 6
Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Fear and Amygdala ............................................................................................................................. 7
Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Summary for the Session .................................................................................................................. 10
, Lecture 5 – Emotion: Theories and Fear
Topics in the session
- Historic and Classic Theories of Emotion
- Contemporary Approaches to Emotion
- Fear and Amygdala
Historic and Classic Theories of Emotion
Emotion
- The definition of emotion is not 100% agreed
- Definition
o A spontaneous mental state associated with stimuli that are rewarding (i.e. that one
works to obtain) or punishing (i.e. that one works to avoid), and is often
accompanied by physiological and psychological changes that influence thought
and behaviour.
- Key elements
o Hedonic value (intrinsically good or bad)
o Physiological changes (sweating, heart rate, etc.)
o Behaviour (expression and action)
o Cognitive appraisal (advanced animals like humans)
▪ Humans emotional response has strong influence from our cognition
▪ You can tell yourself you are excited when you are nervous
History and Classic descriptions
The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (Darwin)
- The start of the scientific study of emotion
- A feeling state linked to predictable survival reactions to particular events.
o Very strong influence by survival values and evolution
- Emotions are conserved by evolution
- The Expression of Anger
o Anger conserved across different species
o Direct gaze with mouth opened and teeth visible - an exaggeration of, or
preparation for, the behavioural response that may normally follow an anger-
inducing event.
o Open eyes to take in visual information
o Teeth – to show your weapons
- Observational evidence.
o Evolutionary origin
o Survival relevance
o But does not explain how emotion is generated
or organized in the brain
Lecture 5 – Emotion: Theories and Fear ................................................................................................. 2
Historic and Classic Theories of Emotion ............................................................................................ 2
History and Classic descriptions ...................................................................................................... 2
Emotion and Cognition ................................................................................................................... 3
Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Contemporary Approaches to Emotion .............................................................................................. 5
Basic Emotions ................................................................................................................................ 5
Constructionist Approach (Feldman-Barrett 2006) ........................................................................ 6
Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Fear and Amygdala ............................................................................................................................. 7
Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Summary for the Session .................................................................................................................. 10
, Lecture 5 – Emotion: Theories and Fear
Topics in the session
- Historic and Classic Theories of Emotion
- Contemporary Approaches to Emotion
- Fear and Amygdala
Historic and Classic Theories of Emotion
Emotion
- The definition of emotion is not 100% agreed
- Definition
o A spontaneous mental state associated with stimuli that are rewarding (i.e. that one
works to obtain) or punishing (i.e. that one works to avoid), and is often
accompanied by physiological and psychological changes that influence thought
and behaviour.
- Key elements
o Hedonic value (intrinsically good or bad)
o Physiological changes (sweating, heart rate, etc.)
o Behaviour (expression and action)
o Cognitive appraisal (advanced animals like humans)
▪ Humans emotional response has strong influence from our cognition
▪ You can tell yourself you are excited when you are nervous
History and Classic descriptions
The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (Darwin)
- The start of the scientific study of emotion
- A feeling state linked to predictable survival reactions to particular events.
o Very strong influence by survival values and evolution
- Emotions are conserved by evolution
- The Expression of Anger
o Anger conserved across different species
o Direct gaze with mouth opened and teeth visible - an exaggeration of, or
preparation for, the behavioural response that may normally follow an anger-
inducing event.
o Open eyes to take in visual information
o Teeth – to show your weapons
- Observational evidence.
o Evolutionary origin
o Survival relevance
o But does not explain how emotion is generated
or organized in the brain
