PSY 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Limbic System, Paul Ekman, Fear Conditioning
Document Summary
Primary emotions are thought to be innate, evolutionarily adaptive, and universal. Marked by facial expressions that appear to be recognized across cultures. Present in infants at or very soon after birth. Secondary emotions have been characterized as "blends" of primary emotions, but some (guilt, shame) might be better thought of having specific functions (and are dependent on a self concept) Dependent on the infant having a concept of "self" Evidence for which emerges at about 18 months. Only infants with self-awareness are able to realize that their own bodies are the reason that they cannot push the shopping cart. Some emotions (eg. embarrassment, shame) require a notion of self. Evidence of this emotion is typically not seen in situations that might provoke it (ie. the infant being the center of attention) until the infant as developed a sense of self (about 18 months) Importance of parts of the limbic system to emotional experience and recognition.
