Heath, Development, Psychology – Emotional Arousal and the Human Nervous System
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Emotional Arousal and the Human Nervous System
Every human have the capacity to be aroused emotionally. Arousal can be high or low and vary in intensity, having the potential to be negative or positive, or both simultaneously. Arousal makes one aware, excited, alert, and attentive, though it may, or may not be exhibited at all times for observation. Arousal is directly linked to stimuli, which causes triggered changes in physiology. Some researches are persuaded that arousal starts in the brain and impact our nervous system (body), and others do not agree with this theory of arousal’s origin. As stated in Psychology Modules For Active Learning: (2012, 2009).
“James Lang theory, bodily arousal (such as increased heart rate) does not follow a feeling such as fear. Instead they argued, emotional feelings follow bodily arousal.” Added to that theory is The Cannon-Bard Theory that, “(E)motional feelings and bodily arousal occur at the same time.” Also, is the Schachter’s Cognitive Theory of Emotion which states, “(E)motion occur when we apply a particular label to general physiological arousal.
We likely choose the appropriate label through a process of attribution, by deciding which source is leading to the arousal (Valins 1966). While the initial point of arousal maybe disputed, it is agreed upon that emotional arousal does affect our nervous system. One of the many examples given in Psychology Modules For Active Learning , supports this belief. “(R)estraining emotions can actually increase activity in the sympathetic nervous system(…) Suppressing emotions can also impair thinking and memory.”
In my opinion, anger is an excellent arousal state to consider. This sensation triggers various changes in the body’s nervous system. Anger has varying emotional arousal stages, which impact the psychosomatic internally and externally. When one feels, “offended, wronged… denied… violated… threatened” (Wikki n.d.) a cohesive collaboration takes place in both, mind and...
Every human have the capacity to be aroused emotionally. Arousal can be high or low and vary in intensity, having the potential to be negative or positive, or both simultaneously. Arousal makes one aware, excited, alert, and attentive, though it may, or may not be exhibited at all times for observation. Arousal is directly linked to stimuli, which causes triggered changes in physiology. Some researches are persuaded that arousal starts in the brain and impact our nervous system (body), and others do not agree with this theory of arousal’s origin. As stated in Psychology Modules For Active Learning: (2012, 2009).
“James Lang theory, bodily arousal (such as increased heart rate) does not follow a feeling such as fear. Instead they argued, emotional feelings follow bodily arousal.” Added to that theory is The Cannon-Bard Theory that, “(E)motional feelings and bodily arousal occur at the same time.” Also, is the Schachter’s Cognitive Theory of Emotion which states, “(E)motion occur when we apply a particular label to general physiological arousal.
We likely choose the appropriate label through a process of attribution, by deciding which source is leading to the arousal (Valins 1966). While the initial point of arousal maybe disputed, it is agreed upon that emotional arousal does affect our nervous system. One of the many examples given in Psychology Modules For Active Learning , supports this belief. “(R)estraining emotions can actually increase activity in the sympathetic nervous system(…) Suppressing emotions can also impair thinking and memory.”
In my opinion, anger is an excellent arousal state to consider. This sensation triggers various changes in the body’s nervous system. Anger has varying emotional arousal stages, which impact the psychosomatic internally and externally. When one feels, “offended, wronged… denied… violated… threatened” (Wikki n.d.) a cohesive collaboration takes place in both, mind and...