Understanding Primary Emotions

• Emotion is a complex psychological state
• It combines subjective experiences, physiological responses, and behavioral expressions
• It reflects how we react to personally significant events or situations

Primary Emotions

• Robert Plutchik proposed a theory identifying 8 primary emotions
• Emotions were represented in the Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions model
• The model shows how emotions combine to form more complex feelings

8 Primary Emotions

• Joy: A feeling of happiness, pleasure, or satisfaction
• Trust: A sense of security, safety, or confidence in others
• Fear: An emotional response to a perceived threat or danger
• Surprise: A reaction to something unexpected
• Sadness: A feeling of loss, disappointment, or sorrow
• Disgust: A strong negative reaction to something unpleasant
• Anger: A response to perceived injustice, frustration, or threat
• Anticipation: A feeling of excitement or nervousness about something expected to happen

Emotion and the Brain

• Emotion and the brain are closely linked
• Specific brain regions are responsible for generating, regulating, and interpreting emotions
• Understanding how the brain processes emotions provides insights into human behavior, decision-making, and mental health

Key Brain Regions Involved in Emotion

• Amygdala is the "emotion center" - responsible for detecting and responding to emotional stimuli such as fear and threats
• Hypothalamus regulates emotional responses by controlling the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol via the autonomic nervous system
• Prefrontal Cortex involved in emotion regulation, decision-making, and reasoning and helps interpret emotions and apply logical thinking
• Hippocampus links emotions to memories, storing emotional experiences for future reference
• Insula processes internal body sensations (e.g., heartbeat, stomach discomfort) and connects these to emotional experiences like disgust or empathy
• Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) regulates emotional responses, detects conflicts between emotional impulses and rational thought

Neurotransmitters and Hormones

• Dopamine is associated with pleasure and reward e.g., happiness from eating favorite food
• Serotonin regulates mood and emotional stability e.g., low levels linked to depression
• Norepinephrine heightens alertness and emotional arousal e.g., excitement or anxiety
• Oxytocin promotes feelings of trust and bonding e.g., connection with loved ones

Theories of Emotion

• James-Lange Theory (1884):
• Proposed by William James and Carl Lange.
• "We feel emotion because of our bodily reactions"
• Suggests emotions occur as a result of physiological reactions to events
• The body reacts first (e.g., heart racing, trembling) then the mind interprets these changes as a specific emotion
• Cannon-Bard Theory (1927):
• Proposed by Walter Cannon and Philip Bard
• "Emotions and bodily responses occur simultaneously”
• The brain (thalamus) sends signals to the body and the brain's emotion center simultaneously
• Emotions aren't just a result of physical reactions
• Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory (1962):
• Proposed by Stanley Schachter and Jerome Singer
• "Emotion is determined by arousal and cognitive interpretation.”
• Includes Physiological Arousal (e.g., increased heart rate) and Cognitive Labeling (interpreting the reason for the arousal)
• Emotions are experienced based on how we interpret bodily responses
• Lazarus Cognitive Appraisal Theory (1966):
• Proposed by Richard Lazarus
• "Emotions depend on how we interpret a situation."
• Emotions are determined by cognitive appraisal (evaluation) of a situation
• The way we interpret an event influences the emotional response
• Facial Feedback Theory
• Facial expressions influence emotional experiences
• Suggests that emotions are intensified or regulated by facial expressions
• Smiling can increase happiness, while frowning may intensify sadness