Objective 2 5 Examine one interaction between cognition

Objective 2. 5: *Examine one interaction between cognition and physiology in terms of behavior. Evaluate one research study/theory *section B essay question 1

Things to consider…. • There are numerous theories/studies that suggest that our cognition(to mean such functions or processes as perception, introspection, memory, creativity, imagination, conception, belief, reasoning, volition, and emotion) interacts with physiological functions (brain parts, neurotransmitters) to guide behavior. • This essay should be started by first explaining the interaction between physiology and cognition in all behavior. Examples should be provided to show knowledge and understanding of these interactions. 2

First things first…What is cognition? • In psychology, cognition is a group of mental processes that includes attention, memory, producing and understanding language, perception, and making decisions. • There is an interaction of physiological factors and cognitive factors in many of the behaviors that we experience. • One particular behavior is the experience of emotion. 3

The interaction of cognitive and physiological factors… • Psychologists have long debated the role physiological, and cognitive factors play in emotions. • Originally believed to be a physiological experience, research now suggests that emotions are an interaction of both physiological and cognitive factors. • Different theories debate the role and primacy of each. For this objective, we will evaluate two theories. 4

Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology: Emotion • Emotions are an individual’s subjective feelings and moods. • The term applies to both physiological and cognitive responses to specific stimulus situations. 5

cognition and physiology: Emotion One component of emotions is cognitive processes. • Although psychologists differ in the extent to which they emphasize the role of cognition in emotional arousal and expression, there is a general consensus that perception, learning, and memory are all very much involved in experiencing emotions. • Listening to music, or looking at a picture often elicits conditioned or learned emotions. 6

Identify the emotion that the following pictures elicit… 7

Picture 1 8

Excitement 9

Picture 2 10

Sadness 11

Picture 3 12

Anger 13

Picture 4 14

Surprised 15

cognition and physiology: Emotion The other component of emotions is physiological arousal. • When someone describes their anger by saying “the juices were flowing, ” this account is close to the mark. • The “juices, " in the form of epinephrine and other hormones associated with the arousal of anger, probably were flowing. 16

Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology: Emotion • As a result of this increased endocrine activity, we might guess that for a few moments the heart rate increases dramatically, blood pressure probably increased significantly, and breathing may have become rapid and uneven. • In other words, there is a physiological response to our emotions. 17

Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology: Emotion • Schacter (1964) was the first theorist to bring together the two elements of physiological arousal and cognition. • It is sometimes known as the two-factor theory of emotion. For an emotion to be experienced, a physiological state of arousal is necessary AND situational factors will then determine how we perceive this arousal. 18

• • • Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology In other words, an event causes physiological arousal first. You must then identify a reason for this arousal and then you are able to experience and label the emotion. The strength of physiological arousal will determine the strength of emotion experienced, while the situation will determine the type of emotion. These two factors are independent of each other BUT both are necessary for the emotion to be experienced. 19

• Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology We appraise the emotion-causing event while also evaluating what is happening with our bodies. The key process in emotional arousal is how we interpret feedback from our bodies in light of our present situation. 20

Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology So, imagine you are alone in a dark parking lot walking toward your car. A strange man suddenly emerges from a nearby row of trees and rapidly approaches. The sequence that follows, according to the two-factor theory, would be much like this: 1. I see a strange man walking toward me. 2. My heart is racing and I am trembling. 3. My rapid heart rate and trembling are interpreted as fear because of the situation. 4. I am frightened! 21

Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology Why are cognitive labels important in identifying emotions? How can this same physiological response be perceived differently? 22

Physiological Similarities Physiological responses related to the emotions of fear, anger, love, and jealousy are very similar. Without a cognitive label, we would misinterpret those emotions. M. Grecco/ Stock Boston Excitement and fear involve a similar physiological arousal. 23

Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology Schachter and Singer’s Experiment • A classic study by Schacter & Singer ( 1962) supports these ideas. Their study tested theory that an emotion is made up of cognitive appraisal (labeling the emotion) and physiological arousal (adrenaline and the physical changes it produces). • The aim of the experiment was to test the two-factor theory of emotion to see if participants exhibited both cognitive and biological reactions to an stimulus. 24

Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology Schachter and Singer’s Experiment 25

Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology Schachter and Singer’s Experiment • A group of 184 male participants were injected with epinephrine, a neurotransmitter (which also doubles as a hormone) that produces arousal including increased heartbeat, trembling and rapid breathing. • All of the participants were told that they were being injected with a new drug to test their eyesight (which was false). However, one group of participants were informed of the symptoms the injection might cause (control group), while other participants were not (experimental group). 26

Examining one interaction of cognition and physiology Schachter and Singer’s Experiment • Participants were then placed in a room with another participant who was actually a confederate in the experiment. • The confederate either acted in one of two ways: euphoric or angry. Participants who had not been informed about the effects of the injection were more likely to feel either happier or angrier than those who had been informed. 27

Evaluation of two factory theory While Schachter and Singer’s research spawned a great deal of further research, their theory has also been subject to criticism. Other researchers have only partially supported the findings of the original study, and have had times shown contradictory results. Other criticisms of the two-factor theory: • Sometimes emotions are experienced automatically before we have time to perceive them. • The sample was not representative (all male) and males may have different emotional reactions to females. This therefore makes it difficult to generalize the findings further. 28