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Psychology 210Psychology 210

Lecture 13Lecture 13

Kevin R SmithKevin R Smith

What is an Emotion?What is an Emotion?

�� Emotions are subjective experiences Emotions are subjective experiences

that arise spontaneously and that arise spontaneously and

unconsciously in response to the unconsciously in response to the

environment around us environment around us

�� Emotions have two components:Emotions have two components:

•• physical reaction (rapid heartbeat, etc ) physical reaction (rapid heartbeat, etc )

•• conscious experience or feeling conscious experience or feeling

Why do we have emotions?Why do we have emotions?�� Task performance Task performance

increases with increases with arousal (to an arousal (to an extent)extent)

�� CommunicationCommunication

The Yerkes-Dodson Law

Innervation of the Facial Innervation of the Facial MusclesMuscles

�� The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) controls deep The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) controls deep

muscles involved with chewing food and speaking muscles involved with chewing food and speaking

�� The facial nerve The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) (cranial nerve VII) controls the surface controls the surface muscles involved with muscles involved with facial expression facial expression •• The upper face receives The upper face receives

both both contralateralcontralateral and and ipsilateralipsilateral input input

•• The lower face receives The lower face receives only only contralateralcontralateral input input

•• Conclusion: itConclusion: it’’s easier s easier to control movement of to control movement of the lower face the lower face

Voluntary and Involuntary Voluntary and Involuntary Expressions Use Different Expressions Use Different

PathwaysPathways�� Voluntary expressions (smile for the camera) Voluntary expressions (smile for the camera)

involve primary motor cortex involve primary motor cortex

�� Spontaneous expressions (smiling at a joke) involve Spontaneous expressions (smiling at a joke) involve extrapyramidal pathways extrapyramidal pathways

�� People with cortical damage (as shown) can smile People with cortical damage (as shown) can smile spontaneously, but not on command spontaneously, but not on command

�� People with People with

extrapyramidalextrapyramidal damage damage

can smile on command, can smile on command,

but not spontaneously but not spontaneously

Major Expressions are Major Expressions are Universal: GeneticUniversal: Genetic

�� Major expressions are Major expressions are the same across many the same across many diverse cultures diverse cultures

�� Blind infants Blind infants demonstrate major demonstrate major emotional expressions emotional expressions (e g social smile) at (e g social smile) at the same time as the same time as sighted infants sighted infants

�� Infants protest Infants protest separation from separation from mothers at the same mothers at the same time across cultures time across cultures

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Can You Label These Can You Label These Emotions?Emotions?

Courtesy Dr Paul Ekman

Environmental factors can Environmental factors can override biological expressionsoverride biological expressions

�� Doctors learn to withhold expressions Doctors learn to withhold expressions

of disgust of disgust

�� Cultures influence how expressive we Cultures influence how expressive we

are in group situations are in group situations

•• American students are about as American students are about as

expressive when alone as when in a expressive when alone as when in a

group of strangers group of strangers

•• Japanese students are more expressive Japanese students are more expressive

when alone than when in a group of when alone than when in a group of

strangers strangers

Individual DifferencesIndividual Differences

�� Temperament differs at birth Temperament differs at birth

((KaganKagan) )

•• Very responsive babies may develop Very responsive babies may develop

anxiety disorders later in life anxiety disorders later in life

•• Low responders may develop antisocial Low responders may develop antisocial

behaviors later in life behaviors later in life

�� Psychopaths are extremely nonPsychopaths are extremely non--

responsive, possibly leading to lack responsive, possibly leading to lack

of empathy of empathy

Paul Ekman Says We Can Spot Paul Ekman Says We Can Spot Some LiarsSome Liars

�� Timing (real emotions are fast, Timing (real emotions are fast,

spontaneous)spontaneous)

�� ““MatchMatch”” between body language and between body language and

verbal cuesverbal cues

�� Lying reduces articulationLying reduces articulation

�� Less upper body movement, more lower Less upper body movement, more lower

body movementbody movement

�� Nervous laughterNervous laughter

�� Eye contact is a clue in the US, but not in Eye contact is a clue in the US, but not in

all culturesall cultures

Do Lie Detector Machines Work?Do Lie Detector Machines Work? Theories of EmotionTheories of Emotion�� The JamesThe James--Lange Theory: Lange Theory:

specific pattern of autonomic specific pattern of autonomic

arousal leads to identificationarousal leads to identification

•• ““we feel sorry because we cry, we feel sorry because we cry,

angry because we strike, and afraid angry because we strike, and afraid

because we tremblebecause we tremble””

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Other Theories of EmotionOther Theories of Emotion�� The CannonThe Cannon--Bard Theory: autonomic arousal Bard Theory: autonomic arousal

and identification occur simultaneouslyand identification occur simultaneously

�� The The SchachterSchachter Theory: general arousal leads Theory: general arousal leads

to cognitive appraisal of the situation and the to cognitive appraisal of the situation and the

emotion is identifiedemotion is identified

Support for the JamesSupport for the James--Lange Lange TheoryTheory

�� Hohmann reported Hohmann reported

more emotionality in more emotionality in

men with lumbar men with lumbar

damage than in men damage than in men

with cervical damage with cervical damage

�� Supports JamesSupports James--Lange Lange

provision regarding provision regarding

the importance of the importance of

autonomic feedback autonomic feedback

�� Less consistent with Less consistent with

CannonCannon--Bard and Bard and

SchachterSchachter

Theories of Emotion and the Theories of Emotion and the Capilano Bridge ExperimentCapilano Bridge Experiment

�� Men confused fear of the bridge with Men confused fear of the bridge with

sexual arousal sexual arousal

•• Men on high scary bridge more likely to Men on high scary bridge more likely to

incorporate sexuality into their stories incorporate sexuality into their stories

than men on lower bridgethan men on lower bridge

© Ted Streshinsky/CORBIS

James-Lange Theory assumes that emotions produce distinct physical responses

Support for the other theoriesSupport for the other theories

�� Both CannonBoth Cannon--Bard and Bard and SchachterSchachter would would

predict the predict the CapilanoCapilano Bridge resultsBridge results

�� Further Support for Further Support for SchachterSchachter’’ss theorytheory

•• Patients were told they would receive an Patients were told they would receive an

injection of a vitamin (actually epinephrine, injection of a vitamin (actually epinephrine,

which increases arousal)which increases arousal)

•• Observed either an actor that was happy after Observed either an actor that was happy after

the injection, or was angry after injectionthe injection, or was angry after injection

•• Based on what they observed, they interpreted Based on what they observed, they interpreted

their own feelings equivalentlytheir own feelings equivalently

Theories of Emotion and Theories of Emotion and CatharsisCatharsis

�� Catharsis: expression reduces emotion: NOT Catharsis: expression reduces emotion: NOT

TRUETRUE

�� Expressing an emotion reinforces the feeling Expressing an emotion reinforces the feeling

•• Maori haka moves used by the New Zealand All Maori haka moves used by the New Zealand All

BlacksBlacks

•• Imitation as the basis of empathyImitation as the basis of empathy

•• Consistent with JamesConsistent with James--LangeLange

Focus New Zealand Photo Library© Reuters/CORBIS

Brain Mechanisms of Emotion: The Brain Mechanisms of Emotion: The Limbic SystemLimbic System

�� Paul Paul BrocaBroca: the : the ““limbic lobelimbic lobe””contains contains hippocampus, hippocampus, medial temporal medial temporal lobe and lobe and cingulatecingulategyrusgyrus

�� Modern inclusion of Modern inclusion of orbitofrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, nucleus accumbens, hypothalamus, septal hypothalamus, septal area, amygdalaarea, amygdala

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The Amygdala and EmotionThe Amygdala and Emotion�� KlKlüüverver--Bucy syndrome Bucy syndrome

((amygdalaamygdala damage) damage) reduces fear reduces fear

�� Human damage to the Human damage to the amygdala produces difficulty amygdala produces difficulty identifying fear and anger identifying fear and anger

�� Autistics have problems Autistics have problems identifying the emotions of identifying the emotions of other people: have an other people: have an abnormal abnormal amygdalaamygdala

�� The amygdala contains The amygdala contains many benzodiazepine many benzodiazepine receptors receptors

•• TranquilizersTranquilizers

�� Stimulation can produce Stimulation can produce fear and anxiety fear and anxiety

�� Imaging studies show more Imaging studies show more activity in the activity in the amygdalaamygdalawhen viewing expressions of when viewing expressions of fear fear

Hemisphere Lateralization for Hemisphere Lateralization for Emotion Influences PerceptionEmotion Influences Perception

�� Which face Which face

looks happy?looks happy?

�� Which face Which face

looks sad?looks sad?

�� The right The right

hemisphere hemisphere

usually usually

““readsreads””

emotion emotion

The Emotional Right Hemisphere The Emotional Right Hemisphere Produces More Expression on the Produces More Expression on the

Left Side of the FaceLeft Side of the Face

Normal photo Two left sides Two right sides

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Different Emotions Produce Different Emotions Produce Patterns of Brain ActivationPatterns of Brain Activation

�� Feeling excluded from a game Feeling excluded from a game

produced activity in the cingulate produced activity in the cingulate

gyrus, an area that responds to gyrus, an area that responds to

physical pain physical pain

�� Recreating feelings of anger, Recreating feelings of anger,

happiness, sadness and fear happiness, sadness and fear

produced distinct patterns of brain produced distinct patterns of brain

activation, but single areas could activation, but single areas could

participate in more than one emotion participate in more than one emotion

AggressionAggression

�� Aggression is the intentional Aggression is the intentional

initiation of hostile or destructive initiation of hostile or destructive

acts acts

�� Aggression probably results from a Aggression probably results from a

complex combination of biological complex combination of biological

and learned variables and learned variables

Genetics and AggressionGenetics and Aggression

�� Human twin studies support a role for Human twin studies support a role for genetics in aggression genetics in aggression

�� Aggression can be selectively bred in Aggression can be selectively bred in animals animals

�� However, murder rates vary widely across However, murder rates vary widely across cultures so society must play a rolecultures so society must play a role•• Athens, Greece has 0 55 murders per 100,000 Athens, Greece has 0 55 murders per 100,000

people, compared to 41 12 in Pretoria, South people, compared to 41 12 in Pretoria, South Africa Africa

•• Washington, D C has a rate of 45 79 murders Washington, D C has a rate of 45 79 murders per 100,000 people, compared to 8 77 in New per 100,000 people, compared to 8 77 in New York City York City

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Brain Structure and AggressionBrain Structure and Aggression�� Removal of cortices Removal of cortices

produces sham rageproduces sham rage

•• Violence provoked Violence provoked for no reason (a for no reason (a pat on the head of pat on the head of a dog) a dog)

�� Stimulation of the Stimulation of the hypothalamus in cats hypothalamus in cats provokes attack and provokes attack and hunting behaviors hunting behaviors

�� Removal or lesions of Removal or lesions of the amygdala reduce the amygdala reduce aggression aggression

�� OrbitofrontalOrbitofrontal cortex cortex damage is associated damage is associated

with human violencewith human violence

�� Autonomic Autonomic

abnormalities may abnormalities may

correlate with correlate with

aggression aggression

Biochemistry and AggressionBiochemistry and Aggression�� Alcohol is related to Alcohol is related to

increased aggression:increased aggression:•• 65% of murders 65% of murders

•• 55% of child abuse 55% of child abuse

•• More than 50% of More than 50% of suicides suicides

�� Testosterone:Testosterone:•• Children of mothers Children of mothers

given testosterone given testosterone during pregnancy are during pregnancy are more aggressive more aggressive

•• High, but not moderate, High, but not moderate, testosterone levels are testosterone levels are correlated with correlated with aggression aggression

•• Testosterone levels may Testosterone levels may rise in response to rise in response to competition competition

Administration of Testosterone to Administration of Testosterone to Castrated Mice ReCastrated Mice Re--establishes establishes

Attack BehaviorAttack Behavior

Serotonin and AggressionSerotonin and Aggression

�� Low serotonin is associated with both Low serotonin is associated with both aggression and depression aggression and depression

�� Alpha male rhesus monkeys have Alpha male rhesus monkeys have higher serotonin than subordinates, higher serotonin than subordinates, and subordinates initiate much more and subordinates initiate much more aggression aggression

�� Depression and suicide may Depression and suicide may represent aggression towards the represent aggression towards the self self

StressStress

�� Stress is defined as Stress is defined as ““an unpleasant an unpleasant

and disruptive state resulting from and disruptive state resulting from

the perception of danger or threat the perception of danger or threat ””

�� ““StressorsStressors”” are sources of stress are sources of stress

�� Walter Cannon described the Walter Cannon described the

activation of a activation of a ““fight or flightfight or flight”” system system

by stressors by stressors

Hans Selye Hans Selye and the and the General General Adaptation Adaptation SyndromeSyndrome

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The Stress ResponseThe Stress Response

�� Sensory systems identify a stimulus Sensory systems identify a stimulus (there(there’’s a lion in front of me) s a lion in front of me)

�� Higher cognitive centers identify the Higher cognitive centers identify the stimulus as a stressor (memories of lions stimulus as a stressor (memories of lions and their eating habits) and their eating habits)

�� Sensory information also travels to the Sensory information also travels to the amygdala, which identifies danger amygdala, which identifies danger

�� The amygdala notifies the hypothalamus The amygdala notifies the hypothalamus of danger, activating the hypothalamicof danger, activating the hypothalamic--pituitarypituitary--adrenal (HPA) axis adrenal (HPA) axis

The HPA Axis IThe HPA Axis I

�� Sensory information Sensory information

reaches reaches amygdalaamygdala

�� The amygdala sends The amygdala sends

information to the information to the

hypothalamus via the hypothalamus via the

stria stria terminalisterminalis

�� The paraventricular The paraventricular

hypothalamus hypothalamus

releases CRH, which releases CRH, which

affects the anterior affects the anterior

pituitary pituitary

HPA Axis IIHPA Axis II

�� The anterior pituitary releases ACTH The anterior pituitary releases ACTH

�� In response to ACTH, the adrenal glands In response to ACTH, the adrenal glands release release cortisolcortisol

�� Cortisol influences many neurons in the Cortisol influences many neurons in the brain, increasing the release of several brain, increasing the release of several neurotransmitters neurotransmitters

�� When the hippocampus senses cortisol, it When the hippocampus senses cortisol, it acts to inhibit CRH release by the acts to inhibit CRH release by the hypothalamus hypothalamus

�� With less CRH, less ACTH and cortisol will With less CRH, less ACTH and cortisol will be released be released

Stress and the Immune SystemStress and the Immune System

�� Two types of lymphocytes in the Two types of lymphocytes in the immune system:immune system:•• B lymphocytes produced in bone B lymphocytes produced in bone marrow produce antibodies marrow produce antibodies

•• T lymphocytes produced in the thymus T lymphocytes produced in the thymus gland directly kill cancer cells and gland directly kill cancer cells and foreign substances foreign substances

•• T lymphocytes boost the activity of B T lymphocytes boost the activity of B lymphocytes lymphocytes

�� Stress hormones suppress both Stress hormones suppress both types of lymphocytes types of lymphocytes

Stress and HealthStress and Health�� Heart disease is correlated with high Heart disease is correlated with high

levels of hostility levels of hostility

�� Stress may influence the ability of Stress may influence the ability of

blood vessels to expand blood vessels to expand

�� Attitudes about stress and a sense of Attitudes about stress and a sense of

control may influence health control may influence health

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Effects of CortisolEffects of Cortisol

�� Cortisol increases the amount of Cortisol increases the amount of

calcium entering cells calcium entering cells

�� Extra calcium entering the cell Extra calcium entering the cell

increases the amount of increases the amount of

neurotransmitter released neurotransmitter released

�� Too much calcium can be toxic to Too much calcium can be toxic to

neurons neurons

�� Neurons in the hippocampus are Neurons in the hippocampus are

particularly likely to die particularly likely to die

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Good Stress ManagementGood Stress Management

�� Maintain good health habits:Maintain good health habits:

•• SleepSleep

•• DietDiet

•• Aerobic exerciseAerobic exercise

�� Social networkingSocial networking