Post by sjangwal on Nov 3, 2017 20:16:25 GMT
Explain what point Damasio is making by reference (p. 71) to the lyrics of the Rodgers and Hammerstein song, I Whistle a Happy Tune? Does he seem to be arguing that the emotion-control strategy suggested by the lyrics is viable? Does he offer any evidence that it could actually work?
Damasio uses the song, 'whistle a happy tune', to illustrate the point that we have the power to influence our emotional state. Damasio suggests,
"Psychologically unmotivated and "acted" emotional expressions have the power to cause feeling. The expressions conjure up the feelings and the kinds of thoughts that have been learned as consonant with those emotional expressions.
" (pg.71)
Therefore, if I am in an environment that causes anxiety/fear I can "whistle a happy tune" and follow the lyrics (acted emotional expressions) and my body should produce feelings of confidence/courage and diminish fear/anxiety.
Damasio offers evidence by highlighting the study of Paul Ekman. Ekman asked his "subjects to move certain muscles of the face in a certain sequence, such that, unbeknownst to the subjects, the expression became one of happiness, sadness, or fear. The subjects did not know which expression was being portrayed on their faces. In their minds, there was no thought capable of causing the portrayed emotion. And yet the subjects came to feel the feeling appropriate to the emotion displayed." (pg.71)
This study was important to suggest that acting out emotional expressions (physically) has the power to influence feelings and the kinds of thoughts normally associated with those expressed emotions.
Damasio uses the song, 'whistle a happy tune', to illustrate the point that we have the power to influence our emotional state. Damasio suggests,
"Psychologically unmotivated and "acted" emotional expressions have the power to cause feeling. The expressions conjure up the feelings and the kinds of thoughts that have been learned as consonant with those emotional expressions.
" (pg.71)
Therefore, if I am in an environment that causes anxiety/fear I can "whistle a happy tune" and follow the lyrics (acted emotional expressions) and my body should produce feelings of confidence/courage and diminish fear/anxiety.
Damasio offers evidence by highlighting the study of Paul Ekman. Ekman asked his "subjects to move certain muscles of the face in a certain sequence, such that, unbeknownst to the subjects, the expression became one of happiness, sadness, or fear. The subjects did not know which expression was being portrayed on their faces. In their minds, there was no thought capable of causing the portrayed emotion. And yet the subjects came to feel the feeling appropriate to the emotion displayed." (pg.71)
This study was important to suggest that acting out emotional expressions (physically) has the power to influence feelings and the kinds of thoughts normally associated with those expressed emotions.