what are they? why do we have them? what
can they teach us? how best can we work with
them?
some sources of inspiration
Damasio A. Descartes’ error: emotion, reason and the human brain. London: Papermac, 1996
Gendlin E. Focusing-oriented psychotherapy: a manual of the experiential method. New York: Guilford, 1996
Kennedy-Moore E & Watson J. Expressing emotion: myths, realities, & therapeutic strategies. New York: Guilford, 1999
Damasio A. The feeling of what happens: body, emotion and the making of consciousness. London: Vintage, 2000
Lepore S. & Smyth J. The writing cure: how expressive writing promotes health and emotional well-being. Washington: American Psychological Association, 2002
Greenberg L. Emotion-focused therapy: coaching clients to work through their feelings. Washington: APA, 2002
definitions of emotion
oed: “disturbance of mind; mental sensation or state; instinctive feeling as opposed to reason.” [from French émouvoir=to excite & mouvoir=to move]
encyclopedia brittanica: “a distinct feeling or quality of consciousness, such as joy or sadness, that reflects the personal significance of an emotion-arousing event ...”
columbia encyclopedia: “term commonly and loosely used to denote individual, subjective feelings which dictate moods. In psychology, emotion is considered a response to stimuli that involves characteristic physiological changes—such as increase in pulse rate, rise in body temperature, greater or less activity of certain glands, change in rate of breathing … “
what are emotions & feelings?
internal feelings
physiological reactions
reflection
external observ-able responses
adapted from: Kennedy-
Moore E & Watson J. Expressing emotion: myths, realities, and
therapeutic strategies.
New York: Guilford Press, 1999.
types of emotion & feeling
six primary/universal emotions happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, disgust secondary/social emotions e.g. pride, jealousy, guilt, shame, embarrassment background emotions
e.g. excitement, energy/fatigue, wellness/sickness, harmony/discord, relaxation/tension, stability/instability, balance/imbalance
moods, drives & motivationsmoods are made up of modulated & sustained primary, secondary or background emotions; drives & motivations express themselves and are detectable through background emotions
the following classification system is from: Damasio A. The feeling of what happens. London:
Vintage, 2000
what do emotions do?
prepare the body-mind for “appropriate” action
heart rate, blood flow, hormones, & also changes in memory, thinking, etc
provide information on how situation is assessed
noting & interpreting feelings, which may be appropriate to energize current action or may be inappropriate & need updating
send out signals to others posture, voice tone, facial expression,
speed of movement send signals to others about self and assessment of environment