Psychology Chapter 12: Emotions and Health

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes emotions in decision-making according to the information provided?

Emotions inform our decisions and are crucial to motivation. (correct)

Emotions do not influence our motivations.

Decision-making improves when emotions are suppressed.

Emotions lead to irrational decisions.

Which measurement method for emotions is noted for its fast processing but may lack accuracy?

Behavioral observations

Facial expression analysis

Self-reports (correct)

Physiological measures

What can micro-expressions reveal about a person's emotional state?

They can be easily controlled.

They are less important than facial expressions.

They are a reflection of suppressed emotions. (correct)

They provide no meaningful insight.

Which of the following describes the autonomic nervous system's function?

It controls the functioning of internal organs. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge in measuring emotions?

The subjective nature of emotional experiences Signup and view all the answers

What is a drawback of using physiological measures for assessing emotions?

They are hard to interpret and control. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about emotions is NOT accurate?

Suppressing emotions improves judgment. Signup and view all the answers

Which method is considered particularly useful in emotion measurement due to its observation of outward behavior?

Facial expression analysis Signup and view all the answers

What are the two dimensions measured in the Circumplex Model of Affect?

Valence and activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Prepares the body for intense activity Signup and view all the answers

What does the x-axis in the Circumplex Model represent?

Valence of emotions Signup and view all the answers

Where do the neurons of the parasympathetic nervous system primarily extend from?

The medulla and lower spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

In the Circumplex Model, how is fear categorized compared to contentment?

Fear is active and negative, while contentment is passive and positive Signup and view all the answers

How do both divisions of the autonomic nervous system contribute to homeostasis?

By working together to balance bodily functions Signup and view all the answers

Why might Russell's comprehensive set of emotions not be suitable for self-assessment tests?

They are too numerous and complex. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the sympathetic nervous system?

Promotes rest and relaxation Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes happiness from pleasure in the Circumplex Model?

Happiness is active, while pleasure is passive. Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism can influence autonomic responses?

Voluntary cognition and behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which emotion is characterized by being active and negative according to the Circumplex Model?

Fear Signup and view all the answers

What does the y-axis of the Circumplex Model indicate?

The passivity or activity of the emotion experienced Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of the sympathetic nervous system during emergencies?

Loss of bowel or bladder control Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

They alternately activate for different responses. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of emotion does the Circumplex Model emphasize?

The subjective experiences of emotions Signup and view all the answers

What does the sympathetic nervous system NOT increase during a crisis?

Digestion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered one of the basic emotions?

Confusion Signup and view all the answers

What role do emotions play in moral decision-making, according to the evidence from dilemmas?

Emotions influence the determination of the most moral action. Signup and view all the answers

Extreme emotions are known to interfere with decision-making. What is the role of moderate emotionality in decision-making?

It appears to be essential for making good decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What does the case study of Phineas Gage illustrate about emotions and decision-making?

Experiencing emotions is crucial for important life decisions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of brain injury to the prefrontal cortex on emotions and behavior?

It may lead to behavioral and emotional problems. Signup and view all the answers

Why might humans have evolved emotions according to the understanding provided?

Emotions provide informative cues that guide behavior. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do the Trolley Dilemma and Footbridge Dilemma contribute to the understanding of emotions?

They provide evidence that emotions affect moral decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

How do emotions relate to the concept of emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence involves understanding and managing emotions for better decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What does Selye's definition of stress emphasize?

The impact of life changes as a cause of stress. Signup and view all the answers

Which stage follows the alarm stage in Selye's stress response model?

Resistance Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible consequence of prolonged stress according to Selye?

Increased vulnerability to illness Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following scenarios would Selye likely consider stress to be present?

Moving to a new city for better job opportunities Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the exhaustion stage in Selye’s stress response?

Depletion of immune system proteins Signup and view all the answers

According to Selye, how does the body initially respond to stress?

Through immediate physiological arousal Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about chronic stress according to Selye's model?

It has no physical health implications. Signup and view all the answers

What does health psychology focus on?

Understanding how behavior influences health. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first phase in Selye's model of stress response?

Alarm Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the exhaustion phase of stress response?

Energy reserves are significantly depleted. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods is suggested as the most accurate way to measure stress?

Careful and detailed interviews Signup and view all the answers

What type of stressor can contribute to health problems according to the content?

Noise Signup and view all the answers

Which coping strategy is recommended for dealing with a major traffic jam?

Blunting strategy Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly characterizes the resistance phase of stress response?

The body attempts to cope with chronic stress. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge in stress research mentioned in the content?

Measuring both stress and health accurately. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT identified as a common stressor?

Frequent exercise Signup and view all the answers

What physiological change is most likely to occur while riding a high-powered motorcycle?

Heart rate increases Signup and view all the answers

According to the James-Lange theory, which event occurs first in the experience of emotions?

Physiological changes Signup and view all the answers

What would indicate that a person feels happy according to the James-Lange theory?

The person smiles Signup and view all the answers

In a stressful situation, what physiological response might lead to the experience of fear according to the James-Lange theory?

Increased heart rate Signup and view all the answers

What happens to physiological reactions after the intense situation, like riding a motorcycle, is over?

They return to normal levels Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why emotions are considered crucial in decision-making?

They are linked to almost every motivation we have. Signup and view all the answers

Which measurement method for emotions is characterized by revealing suppressed responses?

Facial expressions and micro-expressions Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge associated with physiological measures of emotions?

Their interpretations can vary significantly. Signup and view all the answers

What does the autonomic nervous system primarily regulate?

The functioning of internal organs Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of self-reports in measuring emotions is often questioned?

They may be inaccurate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Promotes rest and long-term survival Signup and view all the answers

Which system is primarily activated during emergencies?

Sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems contribute to homeostasis?

They respond to opposite conditions to preserve balance within the body Signup and view all the answers

What role do neurons of the parasympathetic nervous system play?

They extend from the medulla and lower spinal cord to internal organs Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about autonomic responses is true?

They can be influenced through learned behaviors and cognition Signup and view all the answers

What role does cognitive appraisal play in the Schachter and Singer theory of emotions?

It determines the type of emotion experienced. Signup and view all the answers

According to the James-Lange theory, which is the relationship between physiological arousal and emotions?

Physiological arousal determines the nature of the emotion. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of pure autonomic failure concerning emotional experiences?

It results in the absence of physiological arousal. Signup and view all the answers

What does Schachter and Singer's theory suggest regarding the physiological state and emotional type?

Physiological state only influences the intensity of the emotion. Signup and view all the answers

What implication does decreased perceived arousal have on individuals with pure autonomic failure?

They can recognize emotional situations but feel muted emotions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 12: Emotions, Health, and Stress

Emotions are a significant and crucial part of individual and social experience, yet elusive to define and measure.
It is not true that better decisions are made if emotions are suppressed. Brain-damaged individuals with impaired emotions generally make poorer decisions.
Emotions greatly influence decision-making, strongly related to motivation.

Measuring Emotions

Measuring emotions is challenging for psychologists.
Self-reports are quick and easy but may lack accuracy.
Behavioral observations, especially facial expressions (even suppressed ones, including micro-expressions) are very useful.
Physiological measures, like autonomic nervous system activity, are hard to control or suppress, but their meaning is subject to interpretation.

Excitement and Physiological Arousal

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls the functioning of internal organs.
The ANS has two subdivisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic.

The Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic nervous system: Two chains of neuron clusters beside the spinal cord. Increases heart rate, breathing rate, sweat production, and adrenaline flow. Prepares the body for "fight or flight" and other stress responses; it is the crisis management center.
Parasympathetic nervous system: Neurons with axons extending from the medulla and lower spinal cord. Connects to neuron clusters near internal organs. Promotes rest; decreases heart rate, digestion and other functions that keep the organism alive in the long term.
Both systems are active, and shifting between them helps maintain homeostasis.
Autonomic responses are generally not directly controllable, but voluntary cognition and behavior can influence them (e.g., athletes controlling breathing).

Emotion and Perceived Arousal

James-Lange theory: A person's interpretation of a stimulus evokes autonomic changes directly. The psychological experience of emotion is the individual's perception of these physiological changes (e.g., you feel happy because you are smiling).
Schachter and Singer's theory: Physiological state is not the same as emotion. The intensity of the physiological reaction determines only the intensity of the emotion, not its type. A person's cognitive appraisal of the situation determines the emotion experienced.

The Range of Emotions

Psychologists have yet to agree on a single list of basic emotions but have criteria: early emergence without significant prior experience; found across cultures; unique biological basis and distinct facial expressions.
Facial expressions are a form of communication, particularly crucial for emotion expression and are more prevalent when people are present.
Some facial expressions develop without direct observation/imitation, and facial expression is frequently recognized across cultures.
While people rely on gestures and social circumstances as part of how they judge expressions of emotions, not all states that are associated with recognizable facial expressions are emotions.

The Two-Dimensional Approach: Circumplex Model

The circumplex model uses valence (negative to positive) and activity (active to passive) dimensions to represent emotions.
Subjective experiences vary among individuals in how emotions are placed on these dimensions.
Emotions are distributed in a coordinate system, with the x-axis representing valence (negative to positive) and the y-axis representing activity (active to passive).

Emotions and Moral Decisions

Emotions play an important role in how ethical decisions are made.
Research with the Trolley Dilemma/Footbridge Dilemma suggests emotions profoundly impact moral judgments

Emotion, Decision-Making, and Emotional Intelligence

While good decision-making seems to require emotional control, only extreme emotionality interferes with the effectiveness of decision-making.
A degree of emotionality is necessary for good decision making.
Case studies of brain-damaged patients suggest that the capacity to experience and show emotions profoundly affects important life decisions.

Emotions and Decision-Making

The ability to imagine the feeling of pursuing each option helps in decision making.

Emotions

The debates around emotions are important parts of psychology.
Human behavior is largely influenced by emotions.
The process of identifying basic emotions is similar to how chemists identified basic elements.

Stress, Coping, and Health

Health Psychology examines behavior's role in health improvement, illness prevention, and recovery.
Selye's Concept of Stress: An enormous variety of experiences can cause stress. Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any demand upon it.
Selye's concept of stress involves three phases:
- Alarm Phase: Brief period of high arousal of the sympathetic nervous system.
- Resistance Phase: Prolonged but moderate arousal if the stressor continues for prolonged periods.
- Exhaustion Phase: Persistent stress depletes the body's energy.

Measuring Stress

Life is stressful. Quantifying stress levels and their impact on health is difficult. Many existing checklists are not fully reliable or valid for use in psychological research.
The best way to accurately measure stress is through careful and detailed interviews on stressors and positive aspects of an individual's life.

Coping Styles and Strategies

Effective coping strategies depend on the stressors.
"Monitoring" (effective action): Taking steps to deal with the problem; forming a study group for a test.
"Blunting" (coping with difficult events): Avoiding stress by turning on the radio; doing something else.
Other significant strategies include: mindfulness meditation and exercise.

Cognitive Coping Methods

Effective cognitive strategies for coping with stress include:
- Reappraising the situation
- Learning from the experience
- Making social comparisons
- Cultivating a sense of humor

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Description

Explore the intricate relationships between emotions, health, and stress in this chapter. Discover how emotions impact decision-making and the challenges psychologists face in measuring them. Learn about the role of the autonomic nervous system in emotional responses.