Chapter 4: Emotions: Thinking, Feeling, and Acting PowerPoint Presentation to accompany Looking Out, Looking In, Tenth Edition Chapter 4: Emotions: Thinking, Feeling, and Acting Presentation prepared by Dr. Michael Pearson, Gretchen Gill, and Tim Scanlon of West Chester University Copyright © 2002 Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. For permission to use material from this text, contact us by: Phone: 1-800-730-2214 Fax: 1-800-730-2215 Web: www.thomsonrights.com Copyright © 2002 Thomson Learning, Inc. 1

Emotions:Thinking, Feeling, and Acting CHAPTER 4 Emotions:Thinking, Feeling, and Acting 2

Emotions: Thinking, Feeling, and Acting What are Emotions? Verbal Expression Types of Emotions Influences on Emotional Expression Guidelines for Expressing Emotions Managing Difficult Emotions 3

What are Emotions? Physiological Changes When a person has strong emotions, many bodily changes occur. Proprioceptive stimuli: they are activated by the movement of internal tissues Increased heartbeat Rise in blood pressure Dilation of the pupils 4

What are Emotions? Nonverbal Reactions Observable changes blushing sweating distinctive facial expression posture 5

Cognitive Interpretations What are Emotions? Cognitive Interpretations The mind plays an important role in determining how we feel. Verbal Expression Labeling our emotions can be very difficult: e.g. Is someone trembling because of fear or because of excitement? 6

Types of Emotions Primary and Mixed Emotions Primary Emotions- basic emotions (inside the perimeter of the wheel) Mixed Emotions- a combination of primary emotions (outside the wheel) 7

Types of Emotions Intense and Mild Emotions This model shows the importance not only of choosing the right emotional family when expressing yourself, but also of describing the strength of the feeling. 8

Influences on Emotional Expression Culture People from all over have the same emotions. No matter where they’re from, people feel happy, sad, surprised, angry, and disgusted. However, the same events do not always bring out the same emotions. Individualistic cultures: people feel comfortable revealing their feelings to others who are close to them (e.g. United States & Canada) Collectivistic cultures: discourage expression of any negative emotions that might upset relationships among people who belong to the in-group (e.g. Japan and India) 9

Influences on Emotional Expression Gender Females - express positive emotions and feelings of vulnerability Males - rarely express their feelings but might reveal strengths Factors in expressing feelings - gender, being familiar with the partner, and difference in power. 10

Social Conventions and Social Rules Influences on Emotional Expression Social Conventions and Social Rules In the US, the unwritten rule is the discouragement of showing your emotions in public. Emotions that are shared are usually positive (however, never too much positive emotion). Teachers and managers are expected to keep their emotions under control. 11

Influences on Emotional Expression Emotional Contagion Emotional Contagion: the process by which emotions are transferred from one person to another. Emotions are “infectious” e.g. If we hang out with a grouch, then we ourselves get put into a bad mood 12

Fear of Self-Disclosure Influences on Emotional Expression Fear of Self-Disclosure Revealing your emotions can seem risky A person who musters up enough courage to share his or her feelings runs the risk of an unpleasant consequence. For example: a wink and smile – unwanted romance confession of uncertainty – weakness emotional honesty – people feel uncomfortable 13

Recognize Your Feelings Guidelines for Expressing Emotions Recognize Your Feelings Answer this question, “How do you feel?” Monitor your nonverbal behavior. Monitor your thoughts as well as your actions. Think About How to Describe Feelings Use single words: “excited” or “depressed” What’s happening to you: “I’m on top of the world” What you’d like to do: “I feel like giving up” 14

Guidelines for Expressing Emotions Share Multiple Feelings “I’m mad at you for not showing up. I’m also disappointed I didn’t see you.” “I get mad when you flirt. I care about you a lot, and I hate to think that you don’t feel the same.” Recognize the Difference Between Feeling, Talking, and Acting Feeling something, talking about it, and then acting on that feeling can sometimes be disastrous or liberating Understand the consequences of your actions 15

Guidelines for Expressing Emotions Accept responsibility for your feelings Instead of, “You make me so angry” say, “I am feeling angry” Consider when and where to express your feelings Wait until you have thought out carefully how you might express your feelings in a way that would be most likely to be heard. 16

Managing Difficult Emotions Facilitative and Debilitative Emotions Facilitative Emotions - emotions that contribute to effective functioning Debilitative Emotions - emotions that prevent a person from functioning effectively 17

Managing Difficult Emotions Thoughts Cause Feelings It is not events such as meeting strangers or being jilted by a lover that cause people to feel bad, but rather the beliefs they hold about these events. Interpretations that people make of an event, during the process of self-talk, determine feelings. Event Thought Feeling Being called names “ I’ve done some- hurt, upset thing wrong” Being called names “My friend must concern, be sick” sympathy 18

Managing Difficult Emotions Irrational Thinking and Debilitative Emotions Many debilitative emotions come from accepting irrational thoughts: 1. The Fallacy of Perfection 2. The Fallacy of Approval 3. The Fallacy of Shoulds 4. The Fallacy of Overgeneralization 5. The Fallacy of Causation 6. The Fallacy of Helplessness 7. The Fallacy of Catastrophic Expectations 19

Managing Difficult Emotions Minimizing Debilitative Emotions 1. Monitor your emotional reactions. 2. Note the activating event. 3. Record your self-talk. 4. Dispute your irrational beliefs. 20