Emotions: How Do We Control Them? And Do We Even Want To?

Emotions: How Do We Control Them? And Do We Even Want To? Cassidy Lowden 26 Mar. 2012 Michael Agulair Introduction to Psychology Spring 2012

Emotions: How Do We Control Them? And Do We Even Want To? 2 One thing that is universally felt by all humans and even animals is emotion. Emotion is described by Meyers (2011) as basically a response of the organism that involves physiological arousal, expressive behaviors such as facial expressions, and consciously experienced thoughts and feelings. This feeling could consist of fear, sadness, happiness, anger, or countless others. The psychology of emotion is something that psychologists are still trying to understand. Specific parts of emotion that psychologists are attempting to understand would be why people attempt to control their emotions, how they control their emotions, and whether or not controlling ones anger is harmful. Psychologists have determined that people control their emotions because it is ingrained in them that impulses and knee-jerk reactions can hurt us. This has been shown as true in that, especially in todays technologically advanced world, ones out of control feelings can lead to terrible consequences. The ability to keep a cool head has proven to be necessary to survival. The reasons why people stifle their emotions also depends on their culture, for example, Japanese people value stoicism, believing that a calm exterior signifies good mental health and physical health, as well as satisfaction whereas in Western culture stoicism is perceived as a pretense for deception (Mauss 2005). After stifling so much emotion, one wonders if this could possibly be harmful. Studies show that people that often suppress their anger or sorrow are more likely to become pessimistic or even depressed. People who were prone to suppress their feelings are also less likely to be able to meet mental challenges. People who were prone to suppress their feelings also generally have fewer and less meaningful friendships. On the other hand, suppressing negative feelings does not have to lead to negative consequences if done right, such as in the case of the Tibetan monks. An important Buddhist

Emotions: How Do We Control Them? And Do We Even Want To? 3 goal is to rid oneself of all negative feelings and think positively. The monks meditate hours each day to encourage positive thinking, and as a result the monks claim that they feel anxiety, greif, or annoyance than other populations do. When examined with an electroencephalogram during deep meditation, exhibited high levels of gamma waves in brain waves. This had an effect in two regions of the frontal lobes that are involved in the intellectual modulation of feelings, showing the Tibetan monks abilities to master their feelings (Mauss 2005). That in mind, any person with sound strategies to control their emotions can learn to control their emotions in a healthy way. There are many different methods to control ones emotions. One such method, suggested by the American Psychological Association is to breathe deeply through the diaphragm. Another method suggested by the American Psychological Association is to use imagery. This involves visualizing a relaxing experience from either memory or imagination. Attempting to empathize with the person one is angry with, considering their position for a moment, can also work wonders. John F. Murray, a sports psychologist from North Palm Beach, Florida, suggests doing anything that will break the pattern when anger becomes overwhelming such as counting to ten, tying ones shoelaces, or even writing a letter to ones grandmother. Ayatullah Shaikh Abdulla Mamkani suggests to wash ones hands and face in cold water to calm down when angry in his last will and testament, which was published by World Islamic Network. The Union Church in La Harpe, Illinois suggests to attack problems not people as a way to deal with anger or to speak softly, because anger is fed by an increase in volume (Mauss 2005). Researchers have done many studies to attempt to assess emotions and their impact on humans. One such researcher, Joseph LeDoux, has used rats to attempt to understand emotions. In his research, LeDoux has used rats, in one experiment in a setting where he manipulated the

Emotions: How Do We Control Them? And Do We Even Want To? 4 neural pathways from the thalamus to the amygdala in rats brains (Dobbs 2006). The amygdala is the part of the brain that monitors fear and aggression, and the thalamus is the part of the brain that directs messages to the sensory receiving areas in the cortex and transmits and replies to the cerebellum and the medulla (Myers 2011). Two pathways that LeDoux tinkered with met with two very different results. The shorter of the two pathways makes a persons muscles tense up and heart beat faster. The longer of the two pathways adds context from memories and other elements of cognitive awareness. This longer neural pathway is crucial for emotional actions, which are meant to help avoid, escape, or discount a threat (Dobbs 2006). Another study that researchers have done to attempt to assess emotions and their impact on humans was done to find whether or on t experiences sensitize people to particular emotions. This experiment used a series of photos of a face that morphed from either sadness or fear to anger. This series of pictures was shown to children who were physically abused and children who were not. This experiment showed that children who had been abused were much faster to discern the signs of anger in the facial expression on the photograph. When the children who had been physically abused were shown a picture of a face that was 60 percent fear and 40 percent anger they are as likely to perceive anger as fear. This means that the abused childrens perceptions had become attuned to the shadows of anger in a facial expression that the nonabused children missed (Meyers 2011). Emotions are something everyone has to deal with. Dealing with them the wrong ways can lead to negative results, but when using the right strategies they can be dealt with in a healthy way. Psychologists have spent many years trying to understand what causes emotions by conducting many types of experiments. Overall, emotions are an integral part of life. Whether denied or allowed to flow freely, they are important for everyone.

Emotions: How Do We Control Them? And Do We Even Want To? 5 References Dobbs, D. (2006). Master of emotions. Scientific American Mind, 17 (1), 44-49 Mauss, I. (2005). Control your anger! Scientific American Mind, 16 (4), 64-71. Myers, D. G. (2011). Exploring Psychology: Eighth edition in modules. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.