PSYC 20651 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Evolution
Document Summary
What are emotions: emotions: dynamic processes that rapidly occur in response to environmental contexts and influence behavior (cole, 2004, can be classified in two ways, discrete emotions, according to valence (positive or negative) Influenced by biology and experience: biology, nervous system (brain, experience, context-dependent, cultural variations, biological evolution has endowed emotions, but culture and relationships facilitate differences in emotional experiences. Functionalist view of emotions: emotions are elicited in interpersonal contexts and function to, signal to others how one feels, regulate one"s own behavior, play pivotal roles in social exchange. Implications of functionalist view: emotions are relational, emotions are linked with an individual"s goals. Early childhood: self-conscious emotions more common, understanding emotions. Increased understanding of emotions: facial expressions indicate emotions, emotions influence behavior. Middle and late childhood: developmental changes in emotion. Improved emotional understanding: understanding that more than one emotion can be experienced.