PSY 307 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: David Buss, Psy, Anxiety Disorder
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While reading the larsen and buss text, i was quite intrigued by its evaluation of emotions as a trait rather than just as a temporary expression of emotional state. They define emotional states as transitory, as in that they depend more on the situation around them than on the person themselves. An emotional trait was defined as a pattern of emotional reactions that a person consistently experiences across a variety of life situations (larsen & buss). I think this is an important distinction since one can be made angry by a situation, but should not be assumed to be a generally angry person. As for the discussion on the various approaches to emotion, i identify more with the dimensional approach. The categorical approach is when researchers believe that the best way to think about emotions is as a small number of primary and distinct emotions.
