PSYC1005 Study Guide - Final Guide: Microexpression, Artificial Neural Network, Frontal Lobe
Emotions and Learning
1. Emotions Definitions
General
Definition
• Emotion consists of neural circuits, response systems, and a feeling state/process that
motivates and organises cognition and action, (Izard, 2016).
• Neural networks
Ekman
• Basic emotions - anger, fear, disgust, sadness and happiness + surprise, contempt
(Ekman, 1992).
• Emotions are universal.
• Facial expressions.
• Micro expressions are very brief facial expressions lasting only a fraction of a second.
They occur when a person either deliberately or unconsciously conceals a feeling.
Kemper
• A 'limitless' array of emotions (Kemper, 1987).
• Autonomic-motoric-cognitive response (Kemper, 1987).
Damasio
• Emotions are physiological phenomenon (part of our existence). Emotions and feelings
are different: "Feelings are mental experiences of body states", (Damasio 2013).
o Emotions are of the body, while feelings are of the mind.
o A feeling is a mental representation of the state of the body.
o Emotions are automatic, whereas feelings are conditioned.
o Emotions are reactions to external stimuli.
Feldman-
Barrett
• Feldman-Barrett's perspective (2006) - no neural circuits, no universality.
• Theory of Constructed Emotions:
o Vary from culture to culture.
o No consistent, physical footprint.
o Not triggered but created.
o Combination of physical properties.
o Flexible brain reacting to its environment.
Purpose of Emotion
Disrupting
Homeostasis
(life-regulation)
• Homeostasis - the tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium.
• Our body and mind tries to maintain homeostasis so we can function at our best.
• Emotions disrupt homeostasis because a perceived risk/problem requires our
attention > fight or flight > the blood flows from the frontal cortex to more
primitive part of the brain and the body to prepare to respond to a threat.
Communication
• Communicate an action tendency.
• Communicate a need to a group.
• Communicate a need to myself.
• There are more unpleasant than pleasant emotions - unpleasant emotions help
you survive.
How understanding of emotions shape our experiences?
• Heart attacks - women more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety than heart attack and therefore die
more frequently.
• Screening Passengers by Observation Training/S.P.O.T. - Ekman: you can read micro expressions and see
how people are feeling - if they look calm or anxious.
2. Learning Definition
General
Definitions
• The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught.
• Or a relatively permanent change in behaviour due to experience.
MBHE
Mind Brain Health and Education Perspective
• A new approach to learning: taking into account thinking, biology and health.
• Differentiates between functional level and optimal levels of learning.
• Dynamic Skill Theory (Fisher, 2008) - an active, dynamic process, involving complex
interactions between a person's biological predispositions, physical environment and
social nurturance.
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Document Summary
Emotion consists of neural circuits, response systems, and a feeling state/process that motivates and organises cognition and action, (izard, 2016). Ekman: neural networks, basic emotions - anger, fear, disgust, sadness and happiness + surprise, contempt (ekman, 1992). Facial expressions. (cid:862)micro expressions are very brief facial expressions lasting only a fraction of a second. They occur when a person either deliberately or unconsciously conceals a feeling. (cid:863) Damasio: a "limitless" array of emotions (kemper, 1987), autonomic-motoric-cognitive response (kemper, 1987). Emotions are physiological phenomenon (part of our existence). Feldman-barrett"s perspective (2006) - no neural circuits, no universality. Theory of constructed emotions: vary from culture to culture, no consistent, physical footprint, not triggered but created, combination of physical properties. Flexible brain reacting to its environment: homeostasis - the tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium, our body and mind tries to maintain homeostasis so we can function at our best.
