emotion
a response of the whole organism, involving (1) physiological arousal, (2) expressive behaviors, and (3) conscious experience
James Lange theory
the theory that our experience of emotion is our awareness of our physiological responses to emotion arousing stimuli
Cannon Bard theory
the theory that an emotion arousing stimulus simultaneously triggers (1) physiological responses and (2) the subjective experience of emotion.
two factor theory
Schachter-Singer's theory that to experience emotion one must (1) be physically aroused and (2) cognitively label the arousal.
polygraph
a machine, commonly used in attempts to detect lies, that measures several of the physiological responses accompanying emotion (such as perspiration and cardiovascular and breathing changes).
catharsis
emotional release. In psychology, the catharsis hypothesis maintains that "releasing" aggressive energy (through action or fantasy) relieves aggressive urges.
feel good, do good phenomenon
people's tendency to be helpful when already in a good mood
subjective well being
self perceived happiness or satisfaction with life. Used along with measures of objective well being (for example, physical and economic indicators) to evaluate people's quality of life.
adaptation level phenomenon
our tendency to form judgments (of sounds, of lights, of income) relative to a natural level defined by our prior experience
relative deprivation
the perception that one is worse off relative to those with whom one compares oneself.