Biology and Emotion

by Neil McNaughton

Overview

The author describes an approach to the analysis of emotion that can be used independently of conventional emotion theories: that expression, feeling, and motivation can be considered in a scientific manner. As a central theme he argues that biological and, in particular, evolutionary considerations are useful in understanding the basic components of emotion, and he applies this idea to a wide variety of the phenomena of emotion. The resultant review should be useful as an undergraduate text in which the explanations are aimed at the nonspecialist. The specific conclusions should be of interest to anyone who conducts research on emotion, and particularly those who need a solid framework on which to base interdisciplinary studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521319386
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/13/1989
Series:	Problems in the Behavioural Sciences , #8
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.59(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Emotion since Darwin; 2. Releasers and state-dependent reflexes; 3. Purpose and emotion; 4. Expression: a window on the emotions?; 5. Are physiological changes epiphenomena of emotions?; 6. Somatic influences on the emotion?; 7. Optimal foraging and the partial reinforcement effect: a model for the teleonomy of feelings; 8. Do emotions mature or differentiate?; 9. Cognition, learning and emotion; 10. Interaction of the components of emotion; 11. Of mice and men; 12. Biology and emotion: some conclusions; Glossary; Notes; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

The author describes an approach to the analysis of emotion that can be used independently of conventional emotion theories. As a central theme he argues that biological and, in particular, evolutionary considerations are useful in understanding the basic components of emotion, and he applies this idea to a wide variety of the phenomena of emotion. Paper edition (unseen), $16.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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