1. Emotions
Emotions are universal – we all have them but we have them for different reasons in different situations

2. 3 components of Emotion
In order to be a true Emotion it must involve your entire being through the following areas…
Physiological –a physical response from your body
Expressive Act- a behavioral response that indicates that emotion (pumping fist, smile etc.)
Conscious Thought- a mental interpretation and processing of the situation

3. Early Theories of Emotion
James-Lange Theory- Emotions come after the bodily response
(we only know we are afraid after we have run away in a panic)
Cannon-Bard Theory- Body reacts and the brain determines the emotion simultaneously
(we are afraid as we panic and while we run away)

4. Other Factors Affecting Emotions
Physical Responses – can be the same for different emotions but body sensations can heighten the emotions Emotional States – Overriding or pre-existing emotions can color our ability to perceive and interpret new information as well as how we view ourselves Cognition- Higher order thought processes – reasoning, problem solving, critical thinking etc.

5. Cognitive Theories of Emotion
Schachter’s Cognitive Theory- We feel what we think
we should according to our thoughts and our environment
(we are afraid because we thought about it and know we should be)

6. Other Cognitive Theories
Zajonc- Robert Zajonc’s theory is that some emotions (particularly fear and aggression) are more primal than thinking- that they skip the cognition process and originate in the amygdala
OMG! What is that thing!!!
Lazarus- Richard Lazarus agrees mostly…his theory states that while there does not have to be a conscious thought process, there does have to be a subconscious evaluation otherwise why would we react at all?

7. Opponent-Process Theory
Stems from Sympathetic/Parasympathetic Response After experiencing a strong emotion, a person will experience it’s opposite emotion before returning to a neutral state. Terrified about flying across the ocean- landing =feeling of relief, joy etc.

8. Emotions and Expression
4 basic emotions:
Joy, Fear, Anger and Sadness
Universal facial expressions that almost all people recognize: fear, anger, sadness, disgust, surprise, joy

9. Emotional Intelligence
A series of skills that allow someone to easily identify, interpret and respond to emotions in ourselves and others Emotional Awareness- the ability to identify your own emotions as well as those of others. Managing Emotions-the ability to control your emotional responses and use them to maximize the situation or problem solve Empathy- the ability to understand and share the feelings of others (sympathy= feel for ; empathy= feel with)