What constitutes an emotion?

It would be useful to start the section with a nice definition of the term emotion.
Unfortunately, it is not an easy term to define. The term is used to refer to slightly
different things or is used to emphasize different aspects of emotion dependent
upon the scientist in question! What we can do however, is to talk about different
aspects of emotion and many would agree that there are three different aspects, or
processes, of emotion.
Firstly, there are feelings that you are aware of, for example what it is like to feel
angry, afraid, happy or sad. As such, we can say that there are
distinctive subjective states associated with emotions.
Secondly, emotions are accompanied by physiological responses. When you
experience an emotion your body responds in a distinctive way, for example you
may go red when you are angry, go pale and sweat if you are afraid, or your blood
pressure may go up and your heart may beat faster if you are aroused (which can be
a consequence of many emotional states). These are peripheral physiological
changes under the control of the autonomic nervous system (which we covered in
section 2), which can lead to an increased readiness to act. This is often termed
the fight or flight response.
However, both of the above may be subject to cognitive appraisal and this, in
certain circumstances, may lead to an emotion and its associated responses not
being lived out.

Emotion
What exactly is an emotion?
Emotions seem to rule our daily lives. We make
decisions based on whether we are happy, angry, sad,
bored, or frustrated. We choose activities and
hobbies based on the emotions they incite.

Emovere to move out
Something inside that needs an outward expression
Stirred up reaction of the organism involving physiological, neural and
glandular changes
Has four aspects:
Personal Emotional Experience
Physiological Aspect
Behavioral Aspect
Motivational Aspect

Aspects of Emotion
Personal Emotional Experience
- Characteristics of emotion which the person consciously feels,
knows and can describe verbally

Physiological Aspect
- Bodily changes such as stirred up breathing, heart rate, circulation
of blood and other physiological function that occur during the
experience of emotion

Aspects of Emotion
Behavioral Aspect
- How the person acts and what that person does
- Pattern of expression (Smiling, laughing, crying)

Motivational Aspect
- Inspires a person working towards a particular goal and avoiding
others
- Driving force to creative activity

Theories of emotion
1. James-Lange Theory
This theory proposes that emotional experience
occurs after the bodily changes. The sequence of
events on emotional state is:

A. Perception of the situation first which will produce
the emotion


Theories of emotion
B. Perception of the reaction as the basis of emotional
experience.

C. Awareness of the emotion in terms of bodily
reaction
Theories of emotion
2. Cannon-Bards Hypothalamic Theory

This theory holds the nervous impulses coming into
the hypothalamus from the receptors.

3. Cognitive Theory

This theory states that the emotion which we feel is an
interpretation of the stirred-up bodily stars.
Theories of emotion
4. Facial Feedback Theory

This theory explains that the facial expression has
something to do with our experienced emotion.
Theories of emotion
Control of Emotion
For many people, emotions are a scary thing. Part of the problem is that we just dont
know what to do with them, according to Darlene Mininni, Ph.D, MPH, author of The
Emotional Toolkit.
So we turn to the only strategies we do know. If youre a man, you might distract yourself
by playing video games, tinkering with your tools or drinking alcohol, she said. If youre a
woman, you might shop or eat.
Turning to these tools occasionally is OK, Mininni said. Making them part of your regular
coping repertoire, however, is problematic.
Emotions are valuable, and offer a bounty of benefits. Once were able to process and
cope with them effectively, we can learn a lot about ourselves and our needs, Mininni
said. Emotions send us important messages and help us connect with others and
accomplish great things, she said.
Using unhealthy strategies can sabotage our relationships, job and even our health,
Mininni said. In fact, people who handle stress effectively have healthier immune
systems, dont get sick as often and age up to 16 years more slowly than people who dont.
Control of Emotion
An emotionally mature person is one who has
learned to control his/her emotion. One of the marks
of an educated person is his or her ability to show
correct emotional responses to different situations. It
is suggested here that people need to control their
emotion as well as its expression.