What are

Emotions?
DEFINITION:
It is the combined reaction of a person to people, events and places.
It is composed of:
a. Physiological changes – internal bodily changes
b. Observable changes – overt changes
c. Subjective experiences – cognition and perceptions made by
those persons involved
Most psychologists believe that emotions are learned from the environment
and not hereditary
1. We copy from the people around us especially significant people like the
caregiver
Ex. Child saw mommy afraid of lizard, child becomes afraid as well.
2. Conditioning – the emotion gave you fulfillment and you got away with it
in the past
Ex. Child showed sadness over not getting something so next time he try
doing it again and get what he wants.
Variation of Emotion
1. Intensity – degree or weight, strength
Ex. Sad vs depressed
2. Similarity – the same or related
Ex. Happy, glad
3. Polarity – opposite or polar to others
Ex. Happy - sad
Measurement of Emotion
A. Physiological responses are measured which are indication of
emotion being felt:
1. Lie detector or polygraph – to check on bodily changes during
interrogation that would assess emotional arousal, not foolproof
2. Electrocardiograph (ECG) – contraction of muscles
3. Sphygmomanometer – check the blood pressure level
Measurement of emotion
B. Observation or rating of overt behavior
Ex. Fear is being exhibited as shown by the shaking of hands,
eyes dilated, pale face, cold sweat, goose bumps, etc.
C. Self-report Measures
Ex. From 100 respondents, 89 expressed the same manifestation,
this would indicate the kind of emotion generally experienced
Function of emotion
1.It prepares us for action
Ex. Fear would make us move away
2. It helps shape our future behavior, it promotes learning to make
appropriate response in the future
3. It helps regulate social interaction – signals us on dealing
effectively with others
Control of emotion
• If emotions are properly directed and expressed, it will motivate to action
yielding enjoyment, strength and endurance
Ex. Frustration might serve as challenge to excel
• If not properly channeled, it can lead to weight loss, sleeplessness, headache,
diarrhea
• Disorders:
1. Psychosomatic illness
2. Unpleasant personality with undesirable traits
3. Poor use of thinking and becomes subjective