Darwin's Theories on Emotions and Evolution

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of emotions as suggested by Darwin?

To signal to other animals and aid in survival (correct)

To form the basis of moral judgments

To create complex human interactions

To express individual personality traits

Which concept refers to the tendency to recognize faces in random stimuli?

Facial Recognition Technology

Pareidolia (correct)

Emotional Disposition

Facial Mimicry

What was one of the key concerns of Ekman's research in emotions?

Facial expressions and their universality across cultures (correct)

The societal implications of emotional expression

The physiological responses to emotional stimuli

The role of emotion in cognitive development

According to modern evolutionary thinking, what do facial expressions primarily serve?

To manipulate and serve the sender's interests Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Uncanny Valley' refer to in facial analysis?

The challenge of producing realistic human-like robots Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the important issues raised about emotions in the context of culture?

Are emotions distinct to specific cultures? Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Facial Action Coding System (FACS)?

It objectively measures facial muscle groups Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about human tendencies towards facial expressions?

Humans have a strong preference for faces over other stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What are emotions according to the contemporary synthesis described?

A collection of co-occurring experiences Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT associated with all emotions?

Unconscious impulses Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'emotional granularity' refer to?

The complexity and differentiation of emotional experiences Signup and view all the answers

What does Lisa Feldman Barrett argue about emotions?

Emotions are constructed from feelings and contextual factors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST describes 'anger' as outlined in the content?

A feeling that indicates wrongful treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is one implication of how language influences emotions?

Different languages can shape diverse emotional landscapes. Signup and view all the answers

In the framework of emotions, what role does socialisation play?

Socialisation helps individuals learn cultural responses to emotions. Signup and view all the answers

How does the predictive quality of the brain relate to emotions?

Past experiences influence the interpretation of current emotional states. Signup and view all the answers

What does the James-Lange theory suggest about the sequence of experiencing emotion?

Physical response leads to emotion. Signup and view all the answers

According to Cannon-Bard theory, how is emotion processed in relation to physical response?

Physical response and emotion occur simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

Which theory integrates both physiological arousal and cognitive appraisal to explain emotion?

Two-Factor theory Signup and view all the answers

What did the Botox studies demonstrate about the relationship between facial expressions and emotions?

Reduced ability to express emotions can diminish emotional feelings. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a component of Frijda's theory on emotions?

Emotions create action tendencies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of the James-Lange theory highlighted by Cannon?

Common physiological responses occur in all emotional states. Signup and view all the answers

According to Lazarus's Cognitive-Motivational-Relational theory, what is essential for experiencing an emotion?

Appraisals based on core relational themes. Signup and view all the answers

Which physiological measures are commonly used to assess emotional responses?

Electrocardiograms and skin conductance levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Autonomic Nervous System in emotional responses?

To control bodily arousal. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Action Tendencies' refer to in the context of emotions?

Prepared potential actions based on emotional responses. Signup and view all the answers

In Roseman's Structural Theory, which dimension corresponds with the likelihood of an emotion occurring?

Probability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately reflects the concept of embodied cognition?

Cognition is distributed throughout the body, not just the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation identified in the use of polygraphs for measuring emotional responses?

Polygraphs lack reliability in assessing emotional intensity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Darwin and Evolution of Emotions

Darwin proposed emotions are not just feelings, but also dispositions to act.
Evolutionary patterns underlie human emotions.
Emotions contribute to survival by signaling to other animals.
Human and animal emotional patterns are strikingly similar, but human adaptations may not always be adaptive.
Facial expressions are crucial for humans, with a strong innate preference towards faces.
Pareidolia, the tendency to see faces in random stimuli, may have evolved.

Universality of Emotions

Are emotions universal across cultures? Evolutionary theories suggest they should be.
Ekman's research, involving cross-cultural studies using photographs and stories, found evidence for emotion universality among the Fore tribe in Papua New Guinea.
Modern views on signalling suggest that expressions primarily benefit the sender rather than the receiver. Exploitation of signals is a possibility.

Theories of Emotion

James-Lange Theory

The experience of emotion follows a physical response.
Example: we run from a bear, therefore, we feel afraid.
Emotion is the awareness of physiological adjustments to an event. A person needs to sense their body to feel emotions.

Cannon-Bard Theory

A strong critique of the James-Lange theory.
Visceral changes are similar across different emotions.
Autonomic changes to emotional stimuli occur too rapidly and there aren't enough afferent nerves connecting visceral organs to the brain to explain diverse emotional experiences.
Artificially inducing bodily changes doesn't always lead to emotions.
The event leads to emotion which then creates the physical response.

Schachter-Singer Theory (Two-Factor Theory)

Emotions result from physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of the situation.
Arousal + Cognition = Emotion.

Neurological Evidence for Theories

Studies on spinal cord injuries support the James-Lange theory; individuals with lesions experience less intense emotions.
However, more precise measures in these cases show no consistent difference in the overall intensity of emotional experiences.

Role of the Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (parasympathetic and sympathetic) controls bodily arousal.
Debate between cognitive and evolutionary theorists regarding emotion.

Facial Feedback

Facial expressions influence emotional experience.
Strack et al (1988) found that holding a pen in the mouth (mimicking a smile) could increase feelings of happiness. Replication of these studies has been challenged and debated.
Botox studies suggest a link between facial expression and emotional experience and comprehension.

Cognitive Theories of Emotion

Focuses on how we interpret events to evoke emotions.
Arnold (1960) emphasized appraisals in emotion.
Appraisals affect action tendencies.
Frijda highlighted an action tendency aspect of emotions—an action tendency or readiness. The intensity and the quality of this tendency are determined by appraisal.
Lazarus emphasized core relational themes, and Mandler's information-processing approach involves cognitive interpretation.
Oatley & Johnson Laird (1987) discussed a computational model of emotion (emotional modules communicating through propositions and emotions).
Roseman's Structural Theory suggests emotions have underlying cognitive dimensions.
Valence, arousal and dominance (Mehrabian & Russell)
Fontaine et al. (2007) proposed further dimensions, including potency, evaluation, activation, surprise.

Measuring Emotion: Physiological and Behavioral Measures

Physiological measures include electrocardiogram, photoplethysmography, blood pressure (using apps), skin conductance level, and galvanic skin response.
Body motion capture methods exist (using markers and markerless cameras with smartphone capabilities)
Facial Action Coding System (FACS) is an objective system for measuring facial movements (muscle groups and Action Units).

Contemporary Synthesis

An emotion is a syndrome (a mix) of mental and physical activities.
Most perspectives can be integrated.

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Description

Explore Darwin's insights on the evolution of emotions, emphasizing their role in survival and communication. This quiz delves into the universality of emotions across cultures, supported by Ekman's research, and examines the signaling theories of emotions. Test your knowledge on the intricate relationships between emotions, evolution, and human behavior.