There are three components of emotion: physiological, expressive, and cognitive. The physiological component involves arousal in the body and brain areas involved in emotions. The expressive component is the nonverbal expression of emotions through facial expressions and body language. The cognitive component involves how people interpret and label their physiological arousal and emotional experiences.

1. Emotion
The Physiological Component
The Expressive Component
The Cognitive Component

2. Emotion
Three Components of Emotion
Emotion
rA feeling state
characterized by
physiological
arousal,
expressive
behaviors, and a
cognitive
interpretation.

3. The Physiological Component
A Historical Perspective
James-Lange Theory of Emotion
• Emotion arises from
physiological arousal
– Happiness comes from
smiling
– Sadness comes from
crying

4. The Physiological Component
Brain Centers of Emotion
• Limbic System
– The Amygdala is
highly involved in
fear responses
• Cerebral Cortex
– Left hemisphere
associated with
positive emotions;
right with negative
emotions

5. The Expressive Component
Nonverbal Communication
How Well do People Identify Emotions?

6. The Expressive Component
Nonverbal Communication
The Facial EMG
• Electrodes placed on the
face record activity in
various muscles.
• Positive emotions increase
activity in cheeks.
• Negative emotions
increase activity in
forehead and brow areas.
Electromyograph (EMG)

7. The Expressive Component
Sensory Feedback
• Facial-Feedback Hypothesis
– The hypothesis that changes in facial expression
can produce corresponding changes in emotion
– Zajonc, et al. had subjects repeat vowel sounds.
– Making some sounds - “ah” and “e” - caused
smiling and elevated mood.
– Making other sounds - “u” and “ü” - caused
frowning and lowered mood.

8. The Cognitive Component
Schachter’s Two-Factor Theory of Emotion
• Physiological arousal
– Sweaty palms
– Increased heart rate
– Rapid breathing
• Cognitive Label
– Attribute source of arousal
to a cause.
• To have an emotion, both
factors are required.

9. The Cognitive Component
Dimensions of Appraisal
• Cognitive dimensions closely linked to
emotion:
– Pleasantness: Is event enjoyable?
– Attention: Is one focused on event?
– Agency: Does one believe he/she is in control?
– Certainty: How clear is situation and is outcome
predictable?

10. Human Emotion:
Putting the Pieces Together
Russell's Circumplex Model
• Which emotions are
universal, felt in all cultures?
– Fear, anger, joy, disgust,
surprise, and sadness
• Russell identified two main
dimensions of emotion
• Emotions can be sorted
according to these
dimensions in several
cultures