Psychology Chapter on Arousal and Emotion

Bodily Response of Arousal

• Arousal is a physiological reaction in the body, often linked to emotions.
• Examples of arousal include faster heartbeat and heavier breathing.
• Arousal is distinct from sexual arousal and is a general state of the body.

James-Lange Theory of Emotion

• Proposes that bodily processes precede and create emotional feelings.
• The theory states that physiological arousal leads to emotional experiences.
• An example is hearing footsteps in a dark alley:
  • This generates physiological arousal (like increased heart rate).
  • These bodily reactions are perceived by the mind, producing the emotion of fear.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

• Facial expressions can evoke or intensify emotions.
• The brain responds to facial muscle movements, influencing emotional feelings.
• An example of this is holding a pen between your teeth, resembling a smile, which can induce positive emotions.

Emodiversity

• Refers to the variety and abundance of emotions a person experiences.
• High emodiversity is linked to improved mental and physical well-being.
• This doesn't require extreme emotions, even mild experiences contribute.

Global Workforce Happiness Index

• Assesses employee satisfaction, likelihood of recommending their employer, and job loyalty.
• The study found a correlation between staff happiness and employee retention and productivity.

Anger

• A response to perceived or real threats or provocations.
• Range in intensity from mild irritation to extreme rage.
• Common triggers include interpersonal provocations, stressors like frustration, discomfort, or exposure to violent media.
• Hormones like testosterone contribute to anger.

Guilt

• An unpleasant emotional response to actions perceived as wrong.
• Motivates people to make amends and behave better in the future.
• Contributes to socially desirable behaviors.
• Can enhance relationships by pushing people to make sacrifices for others.
• Research suggests guilt can increase pleasure due to its association with enjoyable activities like eating or drinking.

Survivor Guilt

• An unpleasant emotion linked to surviving an experience where others died.
• Can arise from events like war, natural disasters, or economic recessions.
• Stems from a sense of fairness and unease when life appears "unfair" in one's favor.

Automatic Affect

• Feelings of liking or disliking something, arising within a fraction of a second.
• It can guide decision making and is faster than conscious emotions.
• For instance, automatic affect helps us react quickly to potential dangers.

Emotion and Behavior

• Emotions often cause behavior, as people seek to change or escape their emotional states.
• Sadness can lead to increased helpfulness, as it can increase empathy or a desire to feel better.
• Emotions do not directly cause behavior; they motivate people to seek escape or emotional regulation.

Emotional Actions and Evolution

• Though emotions can cause irrational or unwise actions, they are unlikely to be eliminated by evolution.
• Emotion's main purpose likely lies in areas beyond directly causing behavior, such as communication.
• Expressing emotions naturally could be beneficial for social interactions.

Emotional Forecasting Errors

• People overestimate the duration and intensity of future emotional states..
• This can lead to poor decisions, such as seeking revenge, which often prolongs negative feelings.
• Failing to accurately predict emotional responses can lead to missed opportunities, like choosing a walk indoors instead of outdoors.

Anticipated Emotion and Decision Making

• Anticipated regret can influence decision-making.
• People tend to avoid change, even if logical, due to fear of regretting a wrong choice.
• This "status quo bias" stems from the expectation that a bad outcome from a change would be more regrettable than sticking with the current situation.