Psychology of Emotions Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which factor is NOT associated with a predisposition to PTSD?

Lower than average cortisol levels

Repeated exposure to highly stressful situations

Higher than average cortisol levels (correct)

Smaller than average hippocampus

What aspect of testosterone relates to male aggressive behavior?

It is only significant in older males

It has no effect on aggressive behavior

It is consistently high in all males

It depends on the reproductive season (correct)

What finding was revealed in the study by Caspi et al. (2002) regarding antisocial behavior?

Genetic predisposition solely determines antisocial behavior

Lower levels of MAOa increase antisocial behavior only if childhood maltreatment occurred (correct)

Environmental influences universally eliminate genetic effects

High MAOa levels significantly increase antisocial behavior regardless of conditions

What impact does low serotonin turnover have on behavior?

It is associated with an increased likelihood of impulsive behavior Signup and view all the answers

What role does the amygdala play in aggression?

It heightens readiness to attack when stimulated Signup and view all the answers

Which biological factor is least likely to influence aggressive behavior?

Low testosterone levels Signup and view all the answers

What physiological response is brought on by a startle reflex?

Innate response to unexpected stimuli Signup and view all the answers

How does childhood maltreatment affect genetic expression related to aggression?

It enhances the effects of genetic predispositions Signup and view all the answers

What is the central aspect of emotions according to the three components model?

Feelings Signup and view all the answers

What does the James-Lange theory propose about the sequence of emotional experiences?

Physiological responses lead to emotions. Signup and view all the answers

How does pure autonomic failure affect the experience of emotions?

It results in feeling emotions less intensely. Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for a 'fight or flight' response?

Sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, emotional behaviors are primarily influenced by which of the following factors?

Autonomic processes Signup and view all the answers

What role does the amygdala play in the experience of emotions?

It is central in processing emotional responses. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a claim of the James-Lange theory regarding emotions?

Physiological responses are irrelevant to emotional experience. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects how emotional experiences can vary based on physiological states?

Manipulating physiological states can alter emotional feelings. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of emotions in moral decision-making?

Emotions often guide decisions while rationality plays a minor role. Signup and view all the answers

According to the James-Lange theory, what is the main source of the feeling aspect of emotion?

Feedback from organ and muscle responses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of disgust in emotional responses?

To signal avoidance of potentially harmful substances Signup and view all the answers

Which hemisphere of the brain is primarily associated with recognizing emotional expressions?

Right hemisphere Signup and view all the answers

What impact does stress have on health, based on behavioral medicine?

Stress can affect both physical and psychological health. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of brain damage that impairs emotional responses?

It impairs decision-making capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with mood regulation and emotional stability?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

How do childhood experiences influence behavior in adulthood?

They shape emotional responses and coping mechanisms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Emotional Behaviors

Emotional behaviors are defined and explored through various theories.
Brain areas associated with emotions are discussed.
The functions of emotions are examined.
Attack and escape behaviors are explored, focusing on their biological underpinnings.
The relationship between stress and health is analyzed, encompassing behavioral medicine perspectives.

The Three Components of Emotions

Emotions have three key components: cognitions, behaviors, and affect/feelings.
Feelings are central to understanding emotions.
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role in emotional situations, with sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

The James-Lange Theory

The current understanding of emotions contrasts with the common-sense view.
The James-Lange theory proposes that autonomic arousal and bodily actions precede emotional feelings.
The theory suggests that we label our bodily responses to identify the emotion we are experiencing.

Is Physiological Arousal Necessary for Emotions?

Emotions seemingly don't depend on muscle feedback, relying more heavily on autonomic processes.
People with autonomic failure experience emotions less intensely.
Bodily actions and overall perceptions contribute to emotional feelings, not solely based on muscle activity.

Brain Areas Associated with Emotions

The limbic system, including the amygdala and hippocampus, is critical for emotions.
The brain rapidly responds to facial expressions.
Disgust is the only emotion with apparent brain localization.
The insula cortex, part of the brain involved in tasting, has a strong connection with disgust.

Hemispheres and Emotions

The behavioral activation system (BAS), located in the left hemisphere, is linked with approach behaviors and certain feelings like happiness and anger.
The behavioral inhibition system (BIS), in the right hemisphere, is associated with withdrawal, arousal, and emotions like fear and disgust.
People with more left hemisphere activity tend toward happiness and outgoingness, whereas those with higher right hemisphere activity might show more social withdrawal and unpleasant emotions.

The Functions of Emotions

Emotions in human evolution likely served adaptive functions for ancestors by aiding in survival.
Fear alerts humans to danger; anger promotes reaction, and disgust avoids harmful stimuli.
Emotional experiences are often complex; the adaptive value of some emotions (e.g., happiness, sadness) is less immediately apparent but may have underlying benefits, highlighting this connection between behavior and emotional response.
Some people experience a "gut feeling" that may anticipate impending danger.

Emotions and Moral Decisions

People often utilize feelings as part of their decision-making process regarding moral dilemmas.
This holds true in scenarios such as moral dilemmas, suggesting emotional responses could inform important decisions.

In Sum

Feelings result from bodily reactions, and feedback from physical reactions influences emotional feelings.
Activation in the left brain hemisphere correlates with approach processing and feelings, while reactions in the right hemisphere relate more to withdrawal and decreased activity.
The right brain hemisphere is more apt at identifying emotional responses.
Brain damage that affects emotions also affects decision-making ability.

Stress and Health

Behavioral medicine assesses the impact of lifestyle factors on health, including diet, exercise, and stress levels.
Emotions and life experiences influence illnesses and recovery patterns.

Stress and General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Stress responses are nonspecific bodily reactions to demands.
The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) includes three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
The alarm stage involves increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity; resistance, elevated adrenal hormone release to help maintain alertness, and exhaustion represents a decreased ability of the body to keep up with prolonged stress.

Stress and Health: Alternative Definition

Stress can involve the threat perception interpreted as a stressor.
Various triggers can elicit physiological and behavioral responses.
While differing from Selye's model, McEwan's view highlights the universal nature of stressful stimulus responses.

Biological Explanation of Stress

Two body systems are important in stress response: the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
The sympathetic system rapidly prepares the body for immediate response.
The HPA axis activates slowly, releasing cortisol, a hormone essential in energy metabolism and other physiological actions.

Stress and Health: Effects on the Immune System

Brief stress temporarily boosts the immune system.
Prolonged stress drains the body's resources and potentially suppresses the immune function in order to utilize energy elsewhere.
Immune-system response cytokines can result in sickness symptoms.

Stress and Health: Effects on Brain

High cortisol levels associated with stress can damage brain cells in the hippocampus, inhibiting memory formation and neuron generation.
Stress management techniques, like social support, may contribute to positive brain outcomes.
Individuals with smaller hippocampi might be more vulnerable to PTSD.

Attack/Aggressive Behaviors

Provocative events or amygdala stimulation can increase readiness for attack.
Aggressive behaviors stem from genetic and environmental factors.
Environmental factors can influence aggressive behaviors more than genetic predispositions.

Biological Explanations for Aggression: Testosterone

Testosterone is a key factor in male aggressive behaviors, especially during reproductive periods.
Higher testosterone levels often correlate with increased aggressive behaviors and criminal activities in young adult men.
There exists a complicated relationship between testosterone and aggression, as higher testosterone levels do not always mean larger amounts of aggressive behavior.

Biological Explanations for Aggression: Serotonin

Low serotonin turnover is linked with increased impulsivity and aggression.
Monkeys experiencing low serotonin often exhibit more aggressive tendencies.
The role of serotonin during aggressive actions is complex and potentially amplified when baseline serotonin is low.

Escape Behaviors

Inborn or learned fears are potential triggers.
The startle reflex (MORO reflex) is the rapid, unconscious response to loud noises.
Sensory information transmits rapidly to the relevant brain regions, coordinating the physical response.
The amygdala contributes significantly to startle responses, also influencing learned fear reactions.

Escape Behaviors: Amygdala

The amygdala aids in adjusting fright responses based on experiences and memory.
The amygdala actively responds to fear-provoking stimuli.
The amygdala plays a critical role in emotional processing, reacting to stimuli even when the subject consciously doesn't register them.
Damage to the amygdala hampers the focus on important emotional cues and the detection of fearful expressions.

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Description

This quiz explores emotional behaviors, their biological foundations, and theories shaping our understanding of emotions. Delve into the relationship between emotions and health, the critical components of emotions, and the James-Lange theory's implications. Understand how our body responds to emotional situations and the roles of various brain areas and the autonomic nervous system.