Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
in a predefined state. This state is a result of the social context,
prior cognitive activities (priming), the motivational situation and
personality (Garcia-Pieto and Scherer, 2006). It switches like a filter
between exogenic and endogenic stimulation and that furthermore
modulates the emotional response. Figure 3 shows the progression and
the structural connections for a single emotional behavior sequence
consisting of the stimulus and the response. Since the emotional
response itself acts within seconds as an endogenic trigger stimulus,
it is reflected as a response.
The entire emotional process including its detailed recursion is
also shown in Figure 3. In this chart, the initially simple (primary
appraisal) and later more complex (secondary appraisal) cognitive
responses are shown. These cognitive appraisals relate to the emotional
stimuli, the coping competency and personality characteristics that
tend not to change (for example, expressive suppression). Significance
or meaning (stimulus appraisal) is attributed in several steps: First,
the newness factor is assessed by comparing the event with memories
in the working memory without any further cognitive involvement. If
an orientation reaction takes place, it is a stimulus that is perceived as
new. The stimulus is then assessed as positive or negative, depending
on its relevance for the individual (preferences need no interferences,
Zajonc, 1980). This primary appraisal or relevance detection process
(Scherer, 2001) triggers the actual emotional response with behavioral,
cognitive and psychobiological components. These may be primary
emotions or, if less discrete, a shifting of the core affect in the three-
dimensional space spanned by the dimensions of valence, arousal
and dominance.
The emotional response is able to interrupt the current process. A
strong fear response, for example, leads to a freezing of all movement.
This emotional response is experienced as subjectively gestalt-like,
whereby individual components most certainly can be perceived in
a differentiated manner. Once formulated, the emotional response
and the triggering event are subjected to an iterative, cognitive
process for implications, coping potential, and ultimately, normative
standards. The secondary appraisal is complex because it evaluates
the individual emotional response by interoception (awareness of
bodily responses) of the physiological activation, uses experience-
based memories for coping strategies and because it must evaluate
the necessity of adherence to norms. During this appraisal step, the
individual checks whether the emotional stimulus is conducive or
an obstacle to achieving a goal. The result may be fear and anger
as a response to the interruption of a planned chain of actions. If
the stimulus is conducive to reaching the goal, the individual might
Search WWH ::
Custom Search