LOs 3.11 and 3.123.11: To what extent do cognitive and biological factors interact in emotion?3.12: Evaluate one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process.

Crane pp. 88-92

Emotions consist of the following:1) Physiological change2) Person’s subjective feeling of an emotion3) Associated BehaviorCentral to all this: Cognitive Appraisal – the

Interpretation of the Event

Fight or Flight

A perceived dangerous event Triggers a physiological response – Fight or

Flight- to confront or avoid.A cognitive appraisal – What to do based on

previous experience

Ledoux – Model of biological pathways of

emotion• The Short Route – The Direct

Pathway – Saves Time in Life or Death Situations

• The Long Route – The Indirect Pathway – More detailed examination

• Flexibility of responses

Schacter and Singer (1962)

Two-factor Theory (TFT): 2 factors help to determine a specific emotion:

1) Physiological arousal2) An emotional interpretation and the

labeling of the physiological arousalThus, the interaction of a biological factor

(arousal) and a cognitive action (interpretation and labeling)

Remember Schacter and Singer (1962)

Pearson – p.55The adrenaline shots for subjectsThe ethical nature of this experimentKey point: Same physiological arousal state

(caused by the adrenaline shot) could be experienced as either of two emotions (anger or elation) depending on how the participants interpreted and labeled their arousal state.

Lazarus (1982, 1991): The Appraisal Theory of Emotion

The gist: As humans, we react to different situations with different emotions. Still, there is no set way we react to situations.

We APPRAISE or evaluate situations according to how significant they are to us.

Are the situations harmful or beneficial to us? This APPRAISAL (or cognitive action) determines our

emotional state. Cognition (the mental action or process of acquiring

knowledge and understanding) is essential to all emotional states.

Lazarus’ Types of Appraisal

1) Primary – Main idea: Is the situation personally relevant?

A. Motivational relevance: Is it relevant to my goals?

B. Motivational Congruence – Is it favorable to my goals?

C. Accountability – Who is responsible for the situation?

Outcome: Not full emotion but only positive/negative approach and avoidance response if necessary

Secondary Appraisal

***The experiencing of the actual emotion!Provides the coping actions!A. Problem-focused coping: Can I change it

to cope with it?B. Emotion-focused coping: Can I change the

way I feel about to change the situation?C. Future expectancy: To what extent can I

expect the situation to change?

Last Points on Lazarus:

The emotion is determined by the pattern of answers that individuals give relating to these six appraisal questions.

The Core Relational Theme (CRT): the summary of all the appraisal judgments used to define specific emotions.

Scenario 1

You are late for a lesson. A student (ish your friend) stops you and

blocks your way, doing it as a game.He continues for a good minute, you will be

late.

RESPONSE OR NOT?HOW DO YOU COPE?

Motivational relevance – GOAL?Motivational congruence – FAVORABLE?

Accountability – RESPONSIBLE?

Problem focusedEmotion focused

Future Expectancy

Scenario 2

You get home after a long day at school.Your mom (or ayi…) has cooked you your

favorite mealYou’re so hungry and it smells great!

RESPONSE OR NOT?HOW DO YOU COPE?Motivational relevance – GOAL?

Motivational congruence – FAVORABLE?Accountability – RESPONSIBLE?

Problem focusedEmotion focused

Future Expectancy

Herrald and Tomaka (2002)

Physiological arousal of different emotions

AIMMETHODFINDINGSCONCLUSION

Ohman (2000)Physiological arousal at the unconscious

level

AIMMETHODFINDINGSCONCLUSION

Speisman et al. (1964)The effects of arousal on autonomic

arousal

AIMMETHODFINDINGSCONCLUSION

Concluding Comments

Key Points to Remember:1) Cognitive and biological factors are

essential to emotion.2) Emotion cannot arise in the absence of

cognition.3) Appraisal can be done at the conscious or

unconscious level.