Lecture 2 - Centralist Theories

• propose CNS mechanisms for emotion
• peripheral arousal not essential for emotion

stimulus –> perception of stimulus –> activation of emotion brain centers –> arousal and facial expressions

shaped by evolutionary pressures

• motivate certain adaptive behaviors
• ex. fear motivates escape

• results: in interview, ppl had decrease in anger, fear, sexual excitment
• exception: greater "sentiment" since injury (wept more)

Visceral feedback important for emotion

spinal cord injury does NOT decrease emo. exp. compared to those who are disabled

• drug given to heart patients because it reduces b.p. and h.r.
• block ANS arousal

• subject were shown snakes and spiders with beta blockers or a placebo
• results: no difference in distance to snakes and spiders (arousal not essential)

ppl felt less nervous and performed better on betta blockers

Results: taking betta blockers decreases self-rating of anxiousness and observers rating also noted decrease in anxiousness

• beta blockers decreases emotion
• appears to support Schnachter and James-Lang theory

• stage fright is a threat = physiological arousal
• remove the physio. arousal take away the threat which also takes away the fear

Results: 7 of 14 measurements show difference btn anger and fear

• Results: diff. emo = diff SNS patterns
• subtle differences

• Diff. evolutionary fxn –> diff. SNS patterns (body is getting ready for those behaviors)
• anger:need muscle strength, min. bleeding
• fear:increase speed and endurance

• arousal not necessary for emotion
• arousal may intensify emotion
• some emotions have diff. patterns of arousal (not as distinct as James imagined)