Emotions

 Emotions are reactions consisting of subjective cognitive states, physiological reactions, and
expressive behaviors.
 Eight basics of emotions: Joy, Trust, Fear, Surprise, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, Anticipation
o The eight basic emotions can be combined to create more complex emotions like
love, hate, guilt, shame, and pride.
o For example, love is a combination of joy and trust. Hate is a combination of anger
and disgust. Guilt is a combination of sadness and fear. Shame is a combination of
sadness and anger. Pride is a combination of joy and anger.

 Theories of emotions
o James-Lange theory: This theory states that emotions are caused by physiological
changes. For example, when we see a bear, our heart starts to race, and our palms
get sweaty. These physiological changes make us feel afraid.
 Eg: First Cry and then feel sad
o Cannon-Bard theory: This theory states that emotions and physiological changes
occur at the same time. It is unclear which comes first, but they are both thought to
be caused by a stimulus in the environment.
 Eg: Crying and being sad (simultaneously)
o Facial feedback theory: This theory states that our facial expressions can influence
our emotions. When we smile, we feel happy. When we frown, we feel sad.
  Emotional Intelligence
o is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions and to understand
and respond to the emotions of others.
 Self-awareness: The ability to identify and understand your own emotions.
 Self-regulation: The ability to manage your emotions in a healthy way.
 Motivation: The ability to use your emotions to achieve your goals.
 Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
 Social skills: The ability to build and maintain positive relationships with
others.

Stress

 Stress in organizational behavior is a psychological and physiological response to demands or

threats that are perceived as exceeding one's ability to cope.
 The perceived discrepancy between the demand and supply of resources (biological,
psychological, and social)
 Coping – To manage the perceived discrepancy between demand and supply of resources. It
is a process of dealing with difficult emotions and situations.
 Function of coping: Coping mechanisms can be divided into two main categories: problem-
focused coping and emotion-focused coping.
Problem-focused coping involves taking steps to address the problem that is causing the
stress.
For example, if you are stressed about a work project, you might break the project down into
smaller tasks, set deadlines for yourself, and ask for help from your colleagues.
Emotion-focused coping involves strategies for managing the negative emotions associated
with stress.
For example, you might use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, or
you might talk to a friend or therapist about how you are feeling.
 Catharsis is a psychological process of releasing strong emotions, typically negative ones, in
order to achieve a sense of relief or closure.
Eg, Gym, Music, and Shopping
 The buffering hypothesis is a theory that suggests that social support can act as a buffer
against the negative effects of stress.
The buffering hypothesis is based on the idea that social support can provide individuals with
the resources they need to cope with stress.
 How do we respond to stress
The general adaptation syndrome (GAS) is a three-stage model of how the body responds to
stress. Hans Selye developed it in the 1930s and 1940s.

Alarm: This is the initial stage of stress when the body perceives a threat and prepares to
fight or flee. The heart rate and blood pressure increase, and the body releases stress
hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
Resistance: If the stressor persists, the body enters the resistance stage. During this stage,
the body tries to adapt to the stressor and maintain normal functioning. However, the body
is still under stress, and resources are being used up.
Exhaustion: If the stressor persists for a long period of time, the body enters the exhaustion
stage. During this stage, the body's resources are depleted, and it cannot cope with the
stressor. This can lead to physical and mental health problems.
 Emotion, Arousal and Motivation:
Emotion is a complex psychological and physiological state that involves three components:
subjective experience (feelings), physiological response (changes in bodily functions), and
behavioral or expressive response (facial expressions, body language, and actions).
Arousal is a state of physiological and psychological activation. Various factors, including
emotions, stress, and physical activity, can cause it.
Motivation is the process that drives us to act to achieve our goals. It can be influenced by a
variety of factors, including emotions, needs, and incentives.

Emotions can play a powerful role in motivation. Positive emotions, such as happiness and
excitement, can motivate us to pursue goals and engage in activities that we enjoy. Negative
emotions, such as anxiety and sadness, can also motivate us to take action to avoid or reduce
negative experiences.
 Arousal can also play a role in motivation. When we are aroused, we are more likely to be
alert and focused. This can be beneficial for tasks that require attention and concentration.
However, too much arousal can lead to anxiety and impaired performance.

The Yerkes-Dodson law

The Yerkes-Dodson law is a theory that explains the relationship between arousal and
performance. The law states that performance is best at moderate levels of arousal and
declines at both high and low levels of arousal.

 Eustress Vs. Distress: Eustress and distress are two different types of stress. Eustress is
positive stress that motivates us to achieve our goals and perform at our best. Distress is
negative stress that can have a negative impact on our physical and mental health.

Eustress

Eustress is often associated with challenging but achievable goals. It can motivate us to work
harder and achieve our full potential. Eustress can also be caused by positive events, such as
a new job, a wedding, or the birth of a child.

Examples of eustress include:

o Preparing for a big presentation

o Starting a new job
o Training for a marathon
o Moving to a new city
o Getting married
 o Having a baby

Distress

Stressful life events, such as a job loss, a divorce, or a serious illness often cause distress. It
can also be caused by chronic stress, such as a demanding job or financial problems.

Distress can lead to a variety of physical and mental health problems, including:

o Headache
o Muscle tension
o Stomach problems
o Sleep problems
o Anxiety
o Depression
o High blood pressure
o Heart disease