PSYC 374 Biological Psychology

1. PSYC 374 Biological Psychology Emotion Lecture #9 Dean Owen, Ph.D., LPCC METU-NCC Spring 2014

2. 1. Review the physiological basis for emotional response. Plan for the day 2. Review the physiological basis for stress. 3. Consider how an understanding of these concepts can be utilized in treatment by professional counselors.

3. Primary definition: The term EMOTION is used to refer to a subjective, conscious experience that is characterized by psycho-physiological expressions, biological reactions and altered mental states. Emotion

4. Emotion may also be thought of as a "positive or negative experience that is associated with a particular pattern of physiological activity." Emotion

5. The physiology of emotion is clearly tied to neurological arousal and has cognitive, biological and behavioral components. Emotion

6. Emotion

7. Components of Emotion The physiology of emotion is clearly tied to neurological arousal and has cognitive, biological and behavioral components. Cognitive appraisal: provides an evaluation of events and objects Bodily symptoms: the physiological component of emotional experience Action tendencies: a motivational component for the preparation and direction of motor responses. Expression: facial and vocal expression almost always accompanies an emotional state to communicate reaction and intention of actions Feelings: the subjective experience of emotional state once it has occurred Scherer, 2005

8. More commonly, emotions are regarded as mental responses to external environmental events occurring in the perceptual field or to internal imagined events conjured by an individual from memories, desires, or expectations. Emotion

9. Conscious awareness and physiological response are bonded into a generally functional system that is life preserving. Our minds and bodies respond together to the events of the world. Emotion Automatized response

10. The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals Charles Darwin Darwin argued that emotions actually served a purpose for humans, in communication and also in aiding their survival. Darwin, therefore, argued that emotions evolved via natural selection and therefore have universal cross-cultural counterparts. Darwin also detailed the virtues of experiencing emotions and the parallel experiences that occur in animals. This led the way for animal research on emotions and the eventual determination of the neural underpinnings of emotion.

11. What are Emotions? Physiological Responses Cognitive Interpretations

12. James-Lange Theory In his 1884 article William James argued that feelings and emotions were secondary to physiological phenomena. In his theory, James proposed that the perception of what he called an "exciting fact" led directly to a physiological response, known as "emotion." The Danish psychologist Carl Lange also proposed a similar theory at around the same time, and therefore this theory became known as the James–Lange theory. As James wrote, "the perception of bodily changes, as they occur, is the emotion." James further claims that "we feel sad because we cry, angry because we strike, afraid because we tremble, and neither we cry, strike, nor tremble because we are sorry, angry, or fearful, as the case may be."

13. James-Lange Theory Environmental event An event in the environment triggers behavioral, autonomic, and endocrine changes in the body. Feedback from the changes produces feelings of emotion. Brain Feedback produces feelings of emotion Muscles Behavior Autonomic Nervous system Autonomic Response Endocrine system Endocrine Response SourceL James (1884)

14. Cognitive Theory: Lazarus Lazarus' theory is very influential; emotion is a disturbance that occurs in the following order: Cognitive appraisal: The individual assesses the event cognitively, which cues the emotion. Physiological changes: The cognitive reaction starts biological changes such as increased heart rate or pituitary adrenal response. Action: he individual feels the emotion and chooses how to react.

15. Cognitive Theory: Lazarus Consider: You see a snake You perceive and the assess the threat posed by the snake. Cognition allows you to understand it as a danger. Your brain activates the Adrenaline glands which pumps Adrenaline through her blood stream resulting in increased heartbeat. You take action to avoid approaching the snake. Lazarus stressed that the quality and intensity of emotions are controlled through cognitive processes. These processes underline coping strategies that form the emotional reaction by altering the relationship between the person and the environment.

16. Homeostatic/primordial emotion Classical Emotions: Love, anger, fear Primordial or Homeostatic Emotions: attention demanding feelings evoked by body states such as pain, thirst, hunger and fatigue Source: Craig (2003)

17. Part of the limbic system Primary role: Processing and storage of memory and emotional responses. Amygdala(e) Once a threat is perceived the amygdala generates the secretion of hormones that influence fear and aggression. Once fear or aggression is elicited the amygdala may trigger the release of hormones into the body to put the person into a state of alertness, in which they are ready to move, run, fight, etc. This defensive response is generally referred to in physiology as the fight-or-flight response regulated by the hypothalamus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9XfCCT3ki0

20. The adrenals are stimulated to produce adrenaline related hormones into the bloodstream which trigger a flood of physical events including: • a. increased cardiac rate • b. elevated blood pressure (Hypertension) • c. increased respiration rate: becoming rapid and shallow • d. release of stored energy from the liver in the blood • e. pupillary dilation • f. increased sensory sensitivity • g. tensing of the muscles for movement or protective action • h. Activation of blood clotting mechanisms • I. Shutdown of the digestive system, making blood more available to oxygenate the muscles • j. constriction of blood flow to the extremities • profuse diaphoresis (sweating) • Most of these symptoms are rather unpleasant feelings and it is the awareness of these symptoms that cause us to say….”I’m stressed!!”

21. Emotion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSGWcfQK0P8

22. Anger Disgust Fear Happiness Sadness Surprise Basic Six ? Ekman’s Emotions Source: Ekman (1999)

23. Name the Emotion

24. Name the Emotion

25. Name the Emotion

26. Name the Emotion

27. Describe Love

28. Emotion Conscious awareness and physiological response are bonded into a generally functional system that is life preserving.

29. Schacter defines emotion as a "positive or negative experience that is associated with a particular pattern of physiological activity. Emotion Schacter, Gilbert, Wegner. PSYCHOLOGY. Worth Publishers, 2011. p. 310.

30. Integrated response patterns composed of: Behavior Emotion Physiological responses Feelings

31. Responses to the environment can be: Innate Emotion Learned

32. Responses to the environment can be: Innate Emotion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6cqNhHrMJA Learned

33. Responses to the environment can be: Emotion Autonomic Hormonal

34. Part II The Parts and Mechanisms of Imagery

35. Some Fundamental Definitions: Mind-Body Connection….

36. Some Fundamental Definitions: Relaxation Response

37. The Mind/Body Connection….. The link between that which is perceived and a physiological response is well documented and experienced by everyone. This is not “New Age” or mystical at all…it is physiological and is the basis for guided imagery…. Ivan Pavlov 1849-1936

38. Consider Freud’s concept of Anxiety…. Objective Anxiety: Fear in response to something that can hurt you… (Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Royal Bengal Tiger, an armed intruder in your home…..) What are your fears?

39. Consider Freud’s concept of Anxiety…. Objective Anxiety: Fear in response to something that can hurt you… (Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Royal Bengal Tiger, an armed intruder in your home…..) Warning The next image may be disturbing to individuals with a snake phobia

40. Consider Freud’s concept of Anxiety…. Objective Anxiety: Fear in response to something that can hurt you… (Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Royal Bengal Tiger, an armed intruder in your home…..)

41. Consider Freud’s concept of Anxiety…. Objective Anxiety: Fear in response to something that can hurt you… (Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Royal Bengal Tiger, an armed intruder in your home…..)

42. Consider Freud’s concept of Anxiety…. Neurotic Anxiety: Fear in response to something that cannot hurt you… Public speaking, rejection, humiliation, failure…….etc.

43. Stress as a physiological response An event occurs in the perceptual field This event is perceived (real or imagined) and evaluated for threat potential in relation to the individual If the event is perceived as threatening a series of physiological responses are elicited which prepare the individual for fight or flight.

45. Your reaction to the sight of a dangerous snake is likely to have been similar to the trajectory depicted below…..

46. Consider Freud’s concept of Anxiety…. Neurotic Anxiety: Fear in response to something that cannot “hurt” you physically….(Public speaking, social rejection, failing a math test) These are threats to the ego…..and imagination is the delivery boy…..

47. Consider Freud’s concept of Anxiety…. Your reaction to such threats to the ego may be more like this trajectory…

48. Consider Freud’s concept of Anxiety…. The body’s response is identical…..Whether experienced in real time or via one’s imagination Your reaction to the “PICTURE” of the snake…. Your reaction to the thought of failing a test or giving a speech….

49. Consider Freud’s concept of Anxiety…. Your response to an imagined event or situation can be very deep, very real…..and can affect your behavior. This is something we can put to use a bit later on !

50. Most of these symptoms are rather unpleasant feelings and it is the awareness of these symptoms that cause us to say…. ”I’m stressed!!”