The Function of Emotions: When and Why Emotions Help Us

by Heather C. Lench (Editor)

Overview

This eye-opening text brings together research from behavioral science, neuroscience, and other fields to make a cogent case for emotions acting as a practical framework for living our lives. A dozen basic emotions are analyzed in terms of what causes them, how they change thoughts and behaviors, and the functional value of these responses. Contrary to the common idea of emotions as fleeting occurrences, they are shown as having the potential for lasting impact on moods, thoughts, and behaviors. Intriguing findings assert that even negative emotions such as jealousy and anger can have positive results such as promoting positive goals, and can lead to successful outcomes in overarching domains such as cognition and well-being.

Among the topics covered:

· How fear and anxiety promote attention and protective behavior.

· How sadness and depression promote analysis of complex problems in goal-pursuits.

· How happiness promotes processing and attention.

· How love promotes relationship development and goal attainment.

· How pride promotes sense of self and identity.

The Function of Emotions is a valuable resource for students, researchers, and clinicians interested in the psychology and neuroscience of emotions and their function in everyday life. It will attract an interested readership among professionals working in such fields as education, management and leadership, social work, and psychotherapy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030026363
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	09/29/2018
Edition description:	1st ed. 2018
Pages:	267
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Heather C. Lench, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Department Head in Psychology at Texas A&M University. The underlying premise of her research is that emotional processes are the foundation of behavior and thought. She examines the role of affective reactions and emotions in how people think about the future and what they think will happen to them in the future. She is also investigating when and why particular emotions might improve functioning and decision making.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1.What do Emotions do for Us?.- Chapter 2.Fear and Anxiety.- Chapter 3.On Sentinels and Rapid Responders: The Adaptive Functions of Emotion Dysregulation.- Chapter 4.Sadness, the Architect of Cognitive Change.- Chapter 5.On the Functions of Sadness and Grief.- Chapter 6.Boredom – What is it Good For?.- Chapter 7.The Adaptive Functions of Jealousy.- Chapter 8.Functions of Anger in the Emotion System.- Chapter 9.Nurturant Love and Caregiving Emotions.- Chapter 10.The Functional and Dysfunctional Aspects of Happiness: Cognitive, Physiological, Behavioral, and Health Considerations.- Chapter 11.Awe: A Self-Transcendent and Sometimes-Transformative Emotion.- Chapter 12.Emotions of Excellence: Communal and Agentic Functions of Pride, Moral Elevation, and Admiration.- Chapter 13.The Emotion Toolkit: Lessons from the Science of Emotion.