Psychology: Components of Emotion

Three Components of Emotion

• Emotions consist of three key components: physiological, behavioral, and cognitive responses.
• Physiological response: Involves changes in brain activation and autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses, reflecting emotional states.
• Behavioral response: Expressed through body language and facial expressions, indicating emotional experiences.
• Cognitive response: Involves mental evaluations, including appraisals of situations, personal thoughts, and expectations regarding emotional occurrences.

Emotion Characteristics

• Emotions are temporary phenomena, arising in response to specific stimuli.
• They can manifest as either positive or negative experiences, influencing feelings and perceptions.
• The intensity of emotions can vary; they can be experienced as weak or strong responses.
• Emotional responses are typically involuntary, occurring automatically and beyond conscious control.

Universal Emotions

• The concept of universal emotions was developed by psychologist Paul Ekman.
• Six fundamental emotions are recognized as universal: happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, and surprise.
• These emotions are identified based on consistent facial expressions that arise in response to similar situations across different cultures.

Explore the intricate components of emotion through this flashcard quiz. Gain insights into the physiological, behavioral, and cognitive responses that shape how we experience emotions. Perfect for psychology students looking to deepen their understanding of emotional dynamics.