Reading 5 - Emotional Intelligence.pdf

UNIT 2: ASPECTS OF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Lesson 5. Emotional Intelligence LESSON OVERVIEW This lesson will explore the concept of emotion, including its components, its functions in human behavior, and the basic emotions. It will also cover key theories of emotion, which can help in un...

UNIT 2: ASPECTS OF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Lesson 5. Emotional Intelligence LESSON OVERVIEW This lesson will explore the concept of emotion, including its components, its functions in human behavior, and the basic emotions. It will also cover key theories of emotion, which can help in understanding and expressing emotions effectively. This lesson highlights emotional intelligence and its four domains to help students learn practical strategies for managing various emotions. OBJECTIVES At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to: a. Discuss that understanding the intensity and differentiation of emotions may help in expressing them. b. Explore one’s positive and negative emotions and how one expresses or hides them. c. Demonstrate and create ways to manage various emotions. I. Emotions Emotion, in psychology, is described as a complex state of feeling that leads to physical and psychological changes. These changes impact how a person thinks and behaves. Emotions are essentially responses to specific events or situations that a person encounters (Cherry, 2023). For example, feeling happy after receiving good news or feeling anxious before a big test are emotional reactions to those situations. Components of Emotions Emotions are complex as they involve three main components: the body (physiological response), thoughts (subjective experience/cognitive), and behavior (expressive behavior). Together, these aspects make emotions complex and multifaceted. a. Physiological Aspect i. Sympathetic nervous system – Emotional expression depends on this system, which oversees the things the body does automatically, like blood flow and digestion. For example, when someone is anxious, they may feel their heart racing and their stomach turning upside down. ii. Amygdala – manages emotions like fear and hunger and is involved in the facial expressions of human emotions.  iii. Frontal lobe – Positive emotions are associated with the left frontal lobe of the brain, whereas negative feelings such as sadness, anxiety, and depression are a function of the right frontal lobe b. Cognitive Aspect i. Subjective experience – Emotions are unique to each person. For instance, a person might furrow their brow when angry, while another might go break objects to show anger. ii. Culture can influence the way people label their emotions Eastern and collectivistic culture: o Often describe their emotions using terms related to physical sensations (like "dizzy") or social relationships (like "friendship") (Tsai et al., 2004). o Tend to connect positive feelings with social interactions and being part of a group (Kitayama & Markus, 1994). Western and individualistic culture: o Use direct emotional words (such as "liking" or "love") to express their feelings (Tsai et al., 2004). o Positive emotions are more often linked to personal achievements and feelings of independence, such as pride (Kitayama & Markus, 1994). c. Behavioral Aspect i. Behavioral response – how emotions are shown or expressed ii. How you express your feelings and emotions is influenced by where you come from. Different cultures and societies have their own ways of dealing with emotions. iii. Display Rules – learned ways of controlling displays of emotion in social settings that can vary from culture to culture (Ekman, 1973; Ekman & Friesen, 1969) Culture: Western and individualistic culture highlight emotions such as fear and excitement, while Eastern and collectivistic culture promotes calmness and peace (De Jesus & Monteclaro, 2024). Gender: Boys are reluctant to talk and show feelings in social settings, whereas girls are expected and encouraged to do so (Polce-Lynch et al.,1998). Functions of Emotions a. Preparing for action – Emotions trigger physical and mental responses that prepare us to act. For example, fear might cause a rush of adrenaline, preparing someone to either fight or flee from danger. b. Shaping future behavior – Emotions influence how we learn from experiences. If someone feels regret after making a mistake, that emotion helps them avoid repeating it in the future. c. Helping interact with others – Emotions are key in communication and social interactions. Expressing emotions like happiness or sadness allows people to connect, understand each other, and build relationships. Basic Emotions Paul Ekman, an American psychologist, discovered that certain emotions are innate and universally experienced across all cultures. These emotions, known as basic emotions, are biologically hardwired into humans, meaning everyone is born with the ability to feel them. Basic emotions are expressed similarly by people worldwide through the same facial expressions, making them universally recognizable. Ekman's basic emotions are anger, fear, disgust, happiness, sadness, and surprise. The 6 universal basic emotion and their facial expressions: Anger – arises when blocked from pursuing a goal and/or treated unfairly o Lowered eyebrows, glared eyes, tightened lower eyelids, tightened and narrowed lips, and thrusted jaw Fear – arises with the threat of harm, either physical, emotional, or psychological. While traditionally considered a “negative” emotion, fear serves an important role in keeping us safe as it mobilizes us to cope with potential danger. o Raised, pulled together eyebrows, tensed lower eyelids, and a lightly opened mouth Disgust – arises as a feeling of aversion towards something offensive o Narrowed eyebrows, wrinkled nose, and a curled upper lip Happiness – arising from connection or sensory pleasure o Smile and wide eyes Surprise – arises on a sudden encounter and unexpected sounds or movements o Raised eyebrows, wrinkled forehead, widely opened eyes, dropped jaw, and an opened mouth Sadness – arises from the loss of someone or something important. While sadness is often considered a “negative” emotion, it serves an important role in signaling a need to receive help or comfort. o Drooped eyelids, lowered corners of the mouth, down casted eyes, and pouted lips Robert Plutchik, another psychologist who theorized that emotions are multi-dimensional, or have various intensities, identified eight primary pairs of emotions: anger and fear, disgust and acceptance, joy and sadness, and expectation and surprise. These core emotions can vary in intensity, with milder emotions on the outer edges of the wheel and more intense ones near the center. Emotions close to each other on the wheel share similarities, while those further apart are less alike. By combining different core emotions, new emotions emerge, such as love (from joy and trust) or contempt (from disgust and anger). The Plutchik wheel is a model that helps people to understand the complexity and relationships between different emotions. Less intense Middle More intense Description Serenity Joy Ecstasy Feelings of happiness and contentment Acceptance Trust Admiration Feelings of peace and connection Apprehension Fear Terror Feelings of fright and anxiety Distraction Surprise Amazement Positive feelings of shock Pensiveness Sadness Grief Negative feelings of loss or disappointment Boredom Disgust Loathing Feelings of avoidance Annoyance Anger Rage Feelings of frustration Interest Anticipation Vigilance Feelings centered around waiting for an event Theories of Emotions Theories of emotions aim to explain what emotions are, how they arise, and what purpose they serve. There are several key theories: a. James-Lange Theory of Emotion – suggests that emotions occur because of physiological reactions to events. “I am experiencing (physiological reaction). Therefore, I feel (emotion).” A person feels afraid because their body starts trembling and their heart races when they encounter danger. b. Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion – suggests that emotions and bodily reactions happen simultaneously but independently, physical and psychological experiences of emotion happen at the same time and that one does not cause the other. “I am experiencing (physiological reaction) and I feel (emotion).” When a person sees a snake, they feel fear at the same time their body reacts, but one does not cause the other. c. Schachter-Singer Theory – Also known as the Two-Factor Theory of Emotion, is an example of a cognitive theory of emotion. This theory combines physiological arousal and cognitive labeling. It suggests that emotions depend on both a physical response and the person's interpretation of the situation. “I am experiencing (physiological reaction) because of (interpretation of situation/cognitive label). Therefore, I feel (emotion).” If someone feels their heart racing, they might label the emotion as excitement if they are at a party or fear if they are in a dark alley. d. Lazarus Theory – Also known as the Cognitive Appraisal Theory. This theory states that emotions are determined by how a person evaluates or appraises a situation, even before they experience any physical reaction. This theory emphasizes that the way a person thinks about a situation (cognitive appraisal) directly affects the emotions they feel. “The situation is (appraisal). Therefore, I will experience (physiological reaction) and feel (emotion)” If someone sees a snake, they might think about whether it is poisonous or not (appraisal). If they decide that it is dangerous, they will feel fear and physiological reactions. II. Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence (EI), also known as Emotional Quotient (EQ), is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in oneself and others. It involves perceiving emotions accurately, understanding the information they convey, and using that understanding to reason and solve problems (Mayer & Salovey, 1997; Salovey & Mayer, 1990). Emotional intelligence is considered crucial for success in both personal and professional life, as it helps people build strong relationships, make wise decisions, and handle challenging situations effectively. Many believe that EQ is more important than IQ (Intelligence Quotient) in determining success, especially in social and emotional contexts. Domains of Emotional Intelligence Daniel Goleman, a psychologist known for his work on emotional intelligence, identifies five key components that make up this concept. These components work together to help individuals manage their own emotions and understand the emotions of others, leading to better relationships and decision-making. a. Self-awareness – the ability to recognize and understand one's own emotions. It is the most basic element of emotional intelligence because it involves being conscious of how emotions influence thoughts and actions, which helps avoid being controlled by those emotions. b. Self-regulation – refers to managing and controlling emotions healthily. While people may not control when emotions arise, they can control how long emotions last and how they respond to them, avoiding impulsive reactions. c. Motivation – the drive to achieve goals for personal reasons rather than external rewards. It involves staying focused, having a positive attitude, and being resilient to challenges. People with intrinsic motivation are more focused on personal satisfaction and growth rather than material rewards like money or fame. d. Empathy – the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It stems from self-awareness and is crucial for building strong, compassionate relationships. e. Social Skills – involves the ability to interact effectively with others. This includes effective communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork. Dealing with Difficult Emotions These steps help individuals better cope with their emotions and promote mental well- being (Numerous Teenshealth, 2023): a. Identify the Emotion – The first step is recognizing and naming the emotion they are experiencing, whether it is anger, sadness, anxiety, or something else. Understanding the specific emotion helps them gain control over their feelings. b. Take Action – Once the emotion is identified, they can take steps to manage it. This might include practicing deep breathing, engaging in a calming activity, or expressing their feelings through writing or talking. c. Get Help – If the emotion feels overwhelming or persistent, it is important to seek support. This could be talking to a friend, family member, or a counselor who can offer guidance and support.