Emotion
Why do we feel the way we do? Are our feelings the result of our thoughts? You may think so but this is not always the case. Sometimes we feel something first (that’s probably your amygdala at work) and then you think about it. Sounds weird? Well, psychologists have learned a lot about why we feel the way we do. Check out these episodes on emotion.
Episodes
- Episode 101: The Psychology of Music: The Role of Expectations and Minor Chords
How does music affect us emotionally? Why do minor chords so sad? In this episode of The Psych Files I explore ideas from Daniel Leviton’s fascinating book, Your Brain on Music, especially those ideas concerned with what composers do to draw you into their music by first conforming to your musical expectations and then carefully confounding them in order to surprise and delight.
- Episode 67: The Olympic Silver Metal? What a Bummer!
Psychologists say that winning the silver medal – coming in second – is actually less satisfying than coming in third – the bronze. Why is that? Find out why winning the silver is…a bummer.
- Episode 55: Is It Really Better to Give Than to Receive?
It’s time to scientifically answer the question: is it better to give than to receive? Psychologists have recently examined the relationship between happiness and charitable giving. Will you be happier if you donate money rather than spend it on yourself?
- Episode 46: Thinking Positively – or Running Away from Your Feelings?
What’s wrong with thinking positively? Could be a lot. I’ll share some ideas for bringing about more positive events in your life and discuss how important “negative” – that is sad – feelings are in our lives. Those are moments not to run from, but to embrace.
- Episode 44: Human Emotions: The Two Factor Theory
Where do our emotions come from? From our thoughts? Or do they begin somewhere else – like in our bodies? This week we look at the work of James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, and Schachter and Singer. Also, I review two classic studies in the history of psychology: the Suproxin study (the basis for the well known (two factor theory of emotion) and the Suspension Bridge study. This week the Good, the Bad and the Ugly….Betty of emotions.
