LEC. 1: EMOTIONS

definition of emotions
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Terms in this set (17)
definition of emotions
-motivations/desires to take action
-physiological processes
-subjective feelings
-the thoughts that accompany feelings
discrete emotions theory (Darwin, Izard, Tomkins)
a theory that claims that emotions are innate and selected via evolutionary pressures
-theres a limited number of discrete emotions
-each emotion is related to specific bodily and facial reactions
functionalist approach to emotional development
a theory that claims that emotions occur so you can ACT
-it is not discrete, it depends on social environment
-it helps us select actions to repeat and actions to avoid
positive emotions
emotions that consist of
-smiling: a reflexive response with later occurrence of social smiles
-happiness
-laughing
social smiles
smiles that are directed at people
-they first emerge as early as 6 to 7 weeks of age
negative emotions
emotions that are hard to assess, suggesting undifferentiated distress early in life
-generalized distress (hunger, pain, overstimulation)
-anger, sadness, fear and distress
-at 8 months to 13/15 months, infant experiences separation anxiety
separation anxiety
feelings of distress that children, especially infants and toddlers, experience when they are separated or expect to be separated, from individuals to whom they are emotionally attached
self-conscious emotions
emotions that consist of embarrassment, pride, guilt, and shame
-these emotions demonstrate self-awareness/understanding of adult reactions
emotional self-regulation
a complex process that involves initiating, inhibiting, or modulating:
-internal feelings
-emotion-related physiological processes
-emotion-related cognitions
-emotion-related behavior
developmental timeline of emotional regulation
-early regulation occurs via parents' help (control exposure to stimuli, remove source of frustration/fear)
-by 6 months: infants begin to "self-soothe"
-beyond 2 yrs: children talk to regulate emotions (private speech)
-shortly after: adults teach children how to express emotions in socially acceptable ways (socialization) and then children develop self-control
self-controlthe intersection between socio-emotional and cognitive development -selection of appropriate behavior strategies for situation -inhibition of inappropriate behaviordevelopmental timeline of self-control-12-18 months: awareness of caregivers' wishes - around 2 yrs: dependent on input from adults (verbal scaffolding)how do we study self-control early in development?1. through delay of gratification tasks -attractive toys that are off limits for some period of time -must wait to eat candy 2. compliance tasks -picking up toys, baking a cake, etc.committed complianceone possibility of how a child interacts with his/her caregivers -eager, willing to participate in task, child follows directives in a self-regulated, proactive mannersituational complianceone possibility of how a child interacts with his/her caregivers -essentially cooperative, but participation requires continuing caregiver control -behavior is driven by repeated prompts (still needs guidance/control)what influences the individual differences in self-control?1. parental style 2. temperament 3. attentional skills 4. language skillswhat developments lead to changes in self-control?1. children internalize scaffolding (private speech) 2. children's working memory abilities improve 3. attentional abilities improve 4. develop strategies for dealing with challenging situations