1. Emotions serve functions (orientation, organization, etc.). Why do we experience our emotional states as powerful or at times overwhelming? Is this functional or purposeful?
Taking an evolutionary approach to this question, one might propose the idea that emotions that cause powerful or overwhelming states have helped our ancestors survive and continue to reproduce. If we were in a life threatening situation, it might be advantageous to be able to recognize that and have the proper associated physiological responses necessary to respond. As Demasio and Davison seem to suggest, there is a clear connection between our emotions and our physical bodies. Both showed how our bodies biological responses are able to impact our emotions.This points to a function that emotions play.
2. Russell and Fernandez-Dols wrote the following about the inability to find a unified definition of emotion through scientific study and discourse: "Emotion is an everyday, ordinary word understood by all rather a precise concept honed through scientific analysis... we have probably reached the point where further usefulness of thinking of facial expressions in terms of emotion requires a clarification of the concept of emotion itself" (pg. 19).
a) what does this mean? what are they saying?
Since emotion is an 'everyday, ordinary' sort of word, it has eluded explicit classification and formal definition. They are saying to proceed with the study of emotion in a more precise and scientific way, some sort of standards are going to need to be erected.
Since emotion is an 'everyday, ordinary' sort of word, it has eluded explicit classification and formal definition. They are saying to proceed with the study of emotion in a more precise and scientific way, some sort of standards are going to need to be erected.
b) how does this extend to the other readings from this unit?
Davison dealt with this problem the best I believe. He binned all emotions into two primary groups (positive and negative) which was something that could be easily defined. This was followed by a careful scienetif association of these two groups with specific physiological responses. Demasio seemed to consider the emotions involved in case study mainly from a social perspective (how the person's friends and family viewed the emotions0
Davison dealt with this problem the best I believe. He binned all emotions into two primary groups (positive and negative) which was something that could be easily defined. This was followed by a careful scienetif association of these two groups with specific physiological responses. Demasio seemed to consider the emotions involved in case study mainly from a social perspective (how the person's friends and family viewed the emotions0
c) what does this make you think about the scientific study of emotion?
It makes me a little skeptical about the scientific research. It appears to require more arduous formalism or normalization. It seems to be very difficult to compare studies because they all use different views on emotions. Its also challenging when they use views that seem to skew away from the normal everyday understanding of emotions.
It makes me a little skeptical about the scientific research. It appears to require more arduous formalism or normalization. It seems to be very difficult to compare studies because they all use different views on emotions. Its also challenging when they use views that seem to skew away from the normal everyday understanding of emotions.
3. Davidson writes about affective style. What are these and how are they specifically influenced by the brain?
The different brain chemistries that each person experiences leads to different profiles for people. Davidson shows that these different patterns of brain activity and chemistry are associated with different emotions. Davidson suggests that these patterns can therefore be linked to a person's "temperament" or as Davidson says affective style. The brain maintains specific chemical configurations which dispose people towards particular emotions. They might for example be more easily angered or tend to be more happy because their brain activity leans toward such activities.
The different brain chemistries that each person experiences leads to different profiles for people. Davidson shows that these different patterns of brain activity and chemistry are associated with different emotions. Davidson suggests that these patterns can therefore be linked to a person's "temperament" or as Davidson says affective style. The brain maintains specific chemical configurations which dispose people towards particular emotions. They might for example be more easily angered or tend to be more happy because their brain activity leans toward such activities.
4. Application: Provide an example of the somatic marker theory (Damasio et al., 1991) in your own life.
A simple example would be making a promise to someone. When you make a promise to someone, you believe you are telling them something that will please them (you will in the future do something that they find desirable). For example lets say I promised my Mother I would come to dinner on a particular night. When that future time comes and you must decide how to act (the night for the dinner has come, but there is another event that is going on that I could attend instead), by using somatic markers that Damasio describes I am able to determine the outcome of not going through with my promise. This would allow me to choose the most favorable course of action. The patient EVR that Damasio described would have a problem seeing the connection between not going through with the promised actions and the unfavorable consequences (my Mom would be sad).
A simple example would be making a promise to someone. When you make a promise to someone, you believe you are telling them something that will please them (you will in the future do something that they find desirable). For example lets say I promised my Mother I would come to dinner on a particular night. When that future time comes and you must decide how to act (the night for the dinner has come, but there is another event that is going on that I could attend instead), by using somatic markers that Damasio describes I am able to determine the outcome of not going through with my promise. This would allow me to choose the most favorable course of action. The patient EVR that Damasio described would have a problem seeing the connection between not going through with the promised actions and the unfavorable consequences (my Mom would be sad).
Nice work. Great example of the somatic marker theory.
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