Emotion is a complex psychological phenomenon that impacts our behavior and thought processes and has been studied extensively since the early 20th century. Emotion can be broadly defined as a conscious mental experience that is associated with physiological and behavioral changes. It is characterized by subjective feelings of pleasure, displeasure, or arousal, as well as by changes in facial expression, body posture, and vocal intonation (Lazarus, 1991; Barret, 2006).
Theories of emotion can be divided into two categories: cognitive and physiological. Cognitive theories propose that emotions are the result of conscious mental processes, such as appraisal and attention. Physiological theories suggest that emotions are the result of physiological processes, such as changes in heart rate and blood pressure (Damasio, 1994; LeDoux, 1996).
Recent research has focused on the role of emotion in decision-making, with evidence showing that emotional states can influence decision-making processes. For example, it has been shown that people are more likely to make risky decisions when they are in a positive emotional state (Kahneman & Tversky, 1979). In addition, research has found that emotional states can affect information processing, with people in a positive emotional state being more likely to use heuristic strategies, while those in a negative emotional state being more likely to use systematic strategies (Gigerenzer & Gaissmaier, 2011).
The relationship between emotion and physical health has also been studied extensively. Research suggests that emotions can have a significant impact on physical health, with those who experience negative emotions being at a greater risk of developing physical illnesses (Uchino et al., 1996; Cohen et al., 1998). Furthermore, studies have found that positive emotions can improve physical health by reducing stress and improving the immune system (Segerstrom & Miller, 2004; Fredrickson et al., 2013).
In conclusion, emotion is a complex phenomenon that has a significant impact on our behavior and thought processes, as well as our physical health. It is an area of research that is constantly evolving, and one that is of great interest to both scientists and the general public.
References
Barret, L. F. (2006). Are emotions natural kinds? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 1(1), 28–58.
Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1998). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 33(4), 387-396.
Damasio, A. R. (1994). Descartes’ error. New York: Grosset/Putnam.
Fredrickson, B. L., Cohn, M. A., Coffey, K. A., Pek, J., & Finkel, S. M. (2013). Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(5), 1045-1062.
Gigerenzer, G., & Gaissmaier, W. (2011). Heuristic decision making. Annual Review of Psychology, 62, 451-482.
Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 47, 263-291.
Lazarus, R. S. (1991). Emotion and adaptation. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
LeDoux, J. E. (1996). The emotional brain: The mysterious underpinnings of emotional life. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Segerstrom, S. C., & Miller, G. E. (2004). Psychological stress and the human immune system: A meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry. Psychological Bulletin, 130(4), 601-630.
Uchino, B. N., Cacioppo, J. T., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (1996). The relationship between social support and physiological processes: A review with emphasis on underlying mechanisms and implications for health. Psychological Bulletin, 119(3), 488-531.