Psychology- Emotions

expressive behaviour

outward observable expressions of behaviour which communicate emotions

5 basic emotions

1. anger 2. fear 3. happiness 4. sadness 5. disgust

3 elements of an emotions

1. subjective feelings 2. physiological response 3. expressive behaviour

Emotions definition

An emotion can be defined as a personal experience that involves a mixture of physiological responses, subjective feelings and expressive behaviour.

gender differences

Females 66% better at expressing happier emotions and communicating emotions than males

experience of an emotion

In general, people experience a similar range of basic emotions, but individuals differ in the intensity of their emotional experiences

a gesture

a body action used for communication

fight or flight

a state of physiological arousal that prepares the body to deal with sudden threats.

Sympathetic nervous system

activates nerves, glands and visceral muscles (blood vessels, heart and intestines) to prepare the body for fight or flight

physiological response

an emotion refer to the changes in our bodies that occur when we experience emotion

The ANS

autonomic because many of the functions under its control occur autonomically or independently of the brain - occurs without us being aware that it is happening

example of physiological response

hands sweat with nervous

cultural influences

one culture may have different gestures and ways to communicate

subjective feelings

personal experience of an emotion, including the way in which we think about an emotion

parasympathetic nervous

relaxes the body and returns it to a clam and unemotional state

example of expressive behaviour

tapping a foot

example of subjective feeling

unpleasant mental state