The Concept of Emotion

Study Notes

Emotions are psychological responses that interconnect:
- Physiological arousal
- Expressive behaviors
- Conscious experience
Emotions are triggered by internal (hunger, thoughts) or external stimuli (social environment changes).

Feelings: Subjective experiences of emotion, representing personal emotional states.
Mood: A milder, long-lasting emotional state, lasting hours or days.

Physiological Arousal:
- Emotions cause innate physiological changes (neural, hormonal, muscular).
- The autonomic nervous system regulates energy mobilization, affecting heart rate and pupil dilation.
- Responses are culturally consistent and nearly universal.
Cognition:
- Involves evaluations and appraisals related to emotional arousal.
- Includes interpretations, memories, and expectations processed through the amygdala or cortex.
Expression:
- Encompasses both verbal and non-verbal communication of emotions.
- Observable expressions include facial changes, voice modulation, body language, and activity levels.

Basic emotional expressions are largely universal, with smiling recognized globally.
Children's expressions of emotions like joy and sadness appear instinctive.
Adult expressions can be influenced by cultural learning, with different cultural focuses on interpreting emotions (e.g., mouth vs. eyes).

Cultural background affects the perception and interpretation of facial expressions.
U.S. individuals often focus on mouth movements, while Japanese individuals tend to prioritize the eyes for emotional cues.