James-Lange theory and autonomic responses in emotional experience

¶ … James-Lange Theory, people with pure automatic failure tend to experience weaker than average emotions. Yet, on the other hand, others would experience stronger than average emotions. The details of this theory are clear; essentially the arousal of the autonomic functions of the skeletal and cognitive system occur at the sign of the very first emotion. Once that emotion is felt, the extremity of the muscular response is determined by the body without much knowledge of the individual experiencing the emotion. Subsequently, people who have weaker autonomic skeletal reactions in situations feel less of an emotional reaction. When pure autonomic failure occurs, this lessons the emotional response even more dramatically. As such, those who experience a stronger than average emotional experience would be experiencing a stronger autonomic response within their skeletal system. This stronger communication with less of a lag generates a stronger emotional response after the body physically reacts. Greater activity in different areas of the brain invoke greater emotional responses to specific emotions, as for example people with greater activity in the left hemisphere experience more social feelings and outgoing behaviors.

Question 2

Kalat illustrates how the play of animals often mimics their later survival responses and behaviors that would lead to greater chances of success in their lives. Kalat gives the example of a kitten in play mode. This play can often be analyzed as practice of escape and attack strategies. Examining the play behavior of young human children also illustrates interesting connections between early play modes and the mimicking of adult behaviors that will allow for greater survival later in life. Humans also have attack and escape emotional responses that are practiced and demonstrated during the play at young ages. For example, hide and go seek is an example where children's play mimics the body's natural emotional and physical response to fight or flight. Children express fight or flight responses in situations where particular emotions are experienced, allowing them to practice survival behaviors long before they are put in situations which would require one of the two responses. Yet, children's play goes beyond a simple fight or flight response. Often times, human children mimic the social behaviors of adults, which include cooperation, relationships, and general situations where there is no need for a fight or flight response. Thus, children's play does echo that of a kitten, but also goes far beyond the cat's more limited play model.

Question 4

If someone were unable to produce cytokines, they would be unable to cope with sickness or the onset of depression and other negative emotional responses. Cytokines kick start the immune system, which sends the body into recovery mode. When the body is stressed, it often begins to produce more cytokines as a way to try to deal with the added pressure of the stress. The release of cytokines helps combat illnesses and strengthens immune systems. When an individual is unable to produce sufficient levels of cytokines, they often suffer worse damage because they are unable to fight off the physical symptoms of greater emotional responses and sickness symptoms.