Emotions, motivation and personality

• Subjective, often brief, intense, and conscious experiences that are triggered by specific events, thoughts, or physiological changes

• Combination of cognitive, physiological, and behavioral responses

Components

• Cognitive Component: Emotions involve thoughts, perceptions, and evaluations related to the triggering event,interpretation of the event and the meaning attached to it

• Physiological Component: Emotions are associated with physiological changes in the body, such as increased heart rate, changes in hormone levels, and alterations in brain activity

• Behavioral Component: Emotions often lead to observable behaviors and actions (expressions of emotion, body language, and facial expressions)

Functions of Emotions

• Adaptive Functions: helping individuals respond to environmental challenges and opportunities

• Social Functions: facilitate social interactions by conveying information to others about one's internal states and intentions

Categorization of Emotions

• Basic emotions-happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise (universal and are recognized across different cultures)

• Complex or secondary emotions- jealousy, pride, and guilt,..  (combinations of basic emotions and higher-order cognitive processes)

Emotion Regulation

• Ability to modify or control one's emotional responses

• Crucial role in psychological well-being and interpersonal relationships

*But in some situation it can be problematic For example: the better you are at emotional coping there are bigger chances you will get stuck (example: domestic violence). If we can cope with something there is less of a chance that we will ask fo help or look for change.

Individual Differences

• Emotions can vary greatly among individuals based on factors such as personality, culture, and life experiences

• Some people may be more emotionally expressive or sensitive than others

• For example, someone high in neuroticism may be more prone to anxiety and negative emotions

• Personality traits are relatively stable and consistent patterns of behavior, emotions and thoughts that distinguish one person from another

• The most well-known framework for understanding traits is the Five-Factor Model (also known as the Big Five), which includes openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism

Theories

• Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory suggests that personality is shaped by unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences

• Behavioral Theories: These theories emphasize the role of observable behaviors and environmental factors in shaping personality

• Humanistic Theories: Humanistic psychologists like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers focus on self-actualization and the importance of personal growth and self-concept

• Trait Theories: Trait theorists propose that personality consists of a set of enduring traits that can be measured and categorized.

• Social-Cognitive Theories: These theories emphasize the interaction between individuals and their social environment in shaping personality.

Nature vs. Nurture: Research suggests that both factors play a significant role, with genetics providing a foundation and the environment shaping its expression

Development of Personality

• Lifelong process

• Early experiences, such as attachment to caregivers, can have a lasting impact on personality

• Cultural factors, including values, beliefs and social norms, influence the expression of personality - different cultures may prioritize certain personality traits or behaviors

Openness to Experience: 

• Reflects the extent to which a person is open-minded, imaginative and willing to engage with novel ideas and experiences

• High scorers tend to be curious, creative and open to trying new things, while low scorers may prefer routine and familiarity

Conscientiousness: 

• Measures the degree of organization, responsibility and self-discipline in an individual

• High scorers are generally reliable, organized and diligent, while low scorers may be more impulsive and disorganized

Extraversion: 

• Degree of sociability, assertiveness and outgoingness in a person

• High scorers are typically outgoing, talkative and energetic in social situations, while low scorers may be more introverted and reserved

• Introverted individuals have their own set of strenghts- may have deeper relationships, good listening skills and focus, more independence...

Agreeableness: 

• Degree of friendliness, compassion and cooperativeness

• High scorers tend to be warm, empathetic and considerate of others, while low scorers may be more competitive or skeptical

Neuroticism: 

• Measures emotional stability and the tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, depression and anger

• High scorers are more prone to mood swings and emotional distress, while low scorers are generally more emotionally resilient

Freud: ID, EGO, SUPEREGO

*outdated, but has interesting ideas and implications

Id:

1. most primitive and instinctual

2. operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of desires and needs, regardless of consequences or societal norms

3. riven by basic biological and psychological drives, including hunger, thirst, and sexual desires

4. impulsive, illogical, and operates in the unconscious mind

Ego:

1. rational and conscious part

2. operates on the reality principle, seeking to satisfy the id's desires in a way that is realistic and socially acceptable

3. acts as a mediator between the impulsive id and the moralistic superego, finding compromises to balance inner conflicts

4. employs defense mechanisms to manage anxiety and protect the individual's self-esteem

5. develops during early childhood as a child learns to navigate the demands and expectations of the external world

Superego:

internalized moral values, social norms, and conscience.

strives for perfection and moral ideals, often leading to feelings of guilt or shame when one's actions don't align with these standards

incorporates societal and parental influences, shaping an individual's sense of right and wrong.

Iacts as an internal regulator, restraining the impulsive desires of the id and influencing decision-making

develops later in childhood as children internalize the values and rules of their caregivers and society

• Unconscious strategies that people use to cope with unpleasant emotions, thoughts, or situations

• These mechanisms help protect the ego from anxiety and maintain a sense of psychological balance

Denial: refusing to acknowledge the existence of a distressing reality
A person with a drinking problem may insist they don't have an issue despite clear evidence to the contrary

Repression: process of pushing painful or unacceptable thoughts and memories out of conscious awareness
Traumatic experiences may be repressed to prevent emotional distress

Projection: occurs when individuals attribute their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or traits to others
Someone who has feelings of jealousy may accuse their partner of being jealous

Rationalization: involves creating logical explanations or justifications for irrational or socially unacceptable behaviors
A person who cheats on a important test might rationalize it by saying everyone else was cheating too

Displacement: redirecting emotions or impulses from the original source to a less threatening target
An example is getting angry at a coworker because you can't express your anger toward your boss

Regression: involves reverting to childlike behaviors in response to stress or frustration
An adult might engage in temper tantrums when facing overwhelming demands

Sublimation: channeling unacceptable impulses or emotions into socially acceptable activities
An aggressive person might find healthy release through sports or physical exercise

Intellectualization: involves excessive use of intellectual reasoning to avoid dealing with emotional aspects of a situation
A person might analyze the death of a loved one in purely scientific terms