Theories of Emotion

• Emotions are complex, adaptive responses with five components: neural systems, physiological changes, subjective experience, cognitive appraisal, and behavioral responses.

Neurological Components of Emotion

• Neural systems such as the limbic system coordinate emotions and encode emotional memories.
• Cortical areas such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula, and prefrontal cortex help guide behavioral responses to emotional stimuli
• The autonomic nervous system and endocrine system facilitate the physiological response to emotional stimuli.

Universally Recognized Emotions

• Happiness
• Surprise
• Sadness
• Fear
• Anger
• Disgust

Evolutionary Adaptations

• Aggression might have been useful for protecting oneself, defending resources, or establishing dominance.
• Disgust helped ancestors avoid harmful substances, preventing sickness or injury.
• Charles Darwin argued that emotions are shaped by natural selection.
• In "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals" (1872), Darwin proposed emotions have evolutionary value, aiding responses to survival challenges and being biologically ingrained.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) Phases

• Phase 1: Alarm reaction, marked by initial stress.
• Phase 2: Resistance, involving coping with the stressor.
• Phase 3: Exhaustion, characterized by mental and physical defeat.

Coping Mechanisms

• Problem-focused coping directly changes the stressor or interaction. For example, confronting a hostile family member.
• Emotion-focused coping relieves or regulates the emotional impact. For example, seeking reassurance from a friend.

Stress Types

• Acute stress involves the sympathetic nervous system and fight or flight response and the release of epinephrine (adrenaline).
• Chronic stress involves the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis, glucocorticoids, and cortisol.

HPA Axis

• The HPA axis involves the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands, regulating many bodily processes.
• Cortisol is the primary hormone associated with HPA axis activity.
• The hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH).
• CRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
• ACTH triggers the adrenal cortex to produce and release cortisol.
• Cortisol mobilizes resources to deal with stressors and maintain homeostasis.
• HPA axis dysregulation and abnormal cortisol patterns are associated with stress, anxiety, depression, and metabolic disorders.

Chronic Stress Effects via Immune System

• Chronic stress increases blood pressure and heart disease risk.
• It leads to immunity suppression, headaches, and inflammation.
• During stress, energy is mobilized away from the immune system.
• High life stress scores correlate with increased vulnerability to viruses.

Personality Types

• Type A personalities are competitive and hardworking but also impatient and prone to anger and hostility.
• Type B personalities are calm, cool, and collected with no strong aspirations.
• Type A individuals are more likely to experience negative effects of stress, including heart disease.
• Hostility expressed when confronted with stressors is a significant risk factor.

Social Status

• Lower social status correlates with more chronic stress due to financial struggles and less job security.
• Higher social status typically involves less chronic stress due to more control and better access to resources.
• Lower social status can lead to constant fight or flight responses, negatively affecting health.

Dutch Hunger Winter Study

• The Dutch Hunger Winter involved severe famine in the Netherlands during World War II.
• Babies exposed to the famine in utero had a higher risk of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes later in life.
• These babies were often born smaller and experienced developmental issues.
• The famine impacted gene expression, potentially passing effects to future generations.
• The study demonstrated that environmental stress can have long-lasting health effects across generations.