Interpersonal Communication: Emotions

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Physiological Factors of Emotions

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When a person has strong emotions, many bodily changes occur. For example the physical components of fear include an increased heart rate, a rise in blood pressure, an increase in adrenaline secretions, an elevated blood sugar level, a slowing of digestion and dilation of pupils)

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Nonverbal Reactions of Emotions

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Not all physical changes that accompany emotions are internal. Feelings are often apparent by observable changes. Some of these changes involve a person's appearance: blushing, sweating, and so on. Other changes involve behavior: a distinctive facial expression, posture, gestures, different vocal tone and rate, and so on.

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Cognitive interpretations of Emotions

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A good example of cognitive interpretations: I notice I'm perspiring while lecturing. From that I infer I am nervous. If it occurs often. I might even label myself a "nervous person." Once I have the label, the next question I must answer is "Why am I nervous?" Then I start to search for an appropriate explanation. I might notice some students leaving the room, or being inattentive. I am nervous because I'm not giving a good lecture.That makes me nervous. How do I know it's not good? Because I'm boring my audience. I am nervous because I am a boring lecturer and I want to be a good lecturer. I feel inadequate. Maybe I should open a delicatessen instead. Just then a student says, "It's hot in here, I'm perspiring and it makes it tough to concentrate on you lecture. " Instantly, I'm no longer "nervous" or "boring."

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Facilitative Emotions

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-Emotions that contribute to effective functioning
-Organic intelligence
-Low intensity and short duration
-Relevant to now
-Reflect realistic self concept

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Debilitative Emotions

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-Emotions that prevent a person from functioning effectively
-Limit possibilities/harm relationships
-High intensity and long duration
-Frequently locked in the past or future
-Often from inflated/deflated self concept

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The Triggering Effect

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-Limbic Area responds to internal and external cues
-Has no sense of time
-Reacts to external cues 5000 times faster than rational
-Rational minds tries to justify response
-Chemical responses - compare with drugs and alcohol (alcohol can make you slower to respond)

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Debilitative Emotion Fallacy: Fallacy of perfection

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People who accept the fallacy of perfection believe that a worthwhile communicator should be able to handle every situation with complete confidence and skill.

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Debilitative Emotion Fallacy: Fallacy of approval

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The fallacy of approval is based on the idea that it is not only desirable but also vital to get the approval of virtually every person.

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Debilitative Emotion Fallacy: Fallacy of shoulds

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The fallacy of shoulds is the inability to distinguish between what is and what should be. (You can see the difference by imagining a person who is full of complaints about the world. "There should be no rain on weekends" "People out to live forever" "Money should grow on trees" "I should find a quick solution to every problem" "I should never feel hurt; I should always be happy and serene." "I should always demonstrate the utmost generosity, considerateness, dignity, courage, unselfishness."

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Debilitative Emotion Fallacy: The fallacy of overgeneralization

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The fallay of overgeneralization comprises two types

1.The first occurs when we base a belief on a limited amount of evidence. ("Im so stupid! I cant even understand how to do my income tax".) ("Some friend I am! I forgot my best friends birthday.")

2: A second type of overgeneralization occurs when we exaggerate shortcomings. ("You never listen to me.") ("You're always late.") ("I can't think of anything")

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Debilitative Emotion Fallacy: The fallacy of causation

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The fallacy of causation is based on the irrational belief that emotions are caused by others rather than by one's own self talk. This fallacy comes in two ways. The first plagues people who become overly cautious about communicating because they dont want to "cause" any pain or inconvenience for others. (Visiting friends or family out of a sense of obligation rather than a genuine desire to see them, Keep quiet when another person is bothering you, Pretending to be attentive to a speaker when you are already late for an appointment or feeling ill.) The fallacy of causation also operates when we believe that others cause our emotions.

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Debilitative Emotion Fallacy: The fallacy of helplessness

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The fallacy of helplessness suggest that satisfaction in life is determined by forces beyond your control.