Behaviorism and Moods Term Paper

Behavior

Mood Diary Data Collection Grid

Time Mood Notes

I am Irritated Hungry, didn't sleep well

am Surprised Friend of mine stopped by & bought lunch at work pm Excitement/Happiness Getting off work early today pm Bored Work is dull, waiting to leave pm Irritable Lot's of traffic on way home/ended up late pm Tired Didn't feel like cooking, had cake for dinner pm Exhausted Going to bed early

Time Mood Notes

I am Aversion Hungry, didn't sleep well again. Feel nauseous

am Interest New job opening at work, considering pm Wonder Need some training classes, work is interesting pm Desire Decide I need to earn more pm Joy No traffic today! Pizza and beer for dinner pm Love Rented romantic comedy, thinking of partner pm Anxiety Have a big presentation at work tomorrow

Day 3

Time Mood Notes

I am Distress Hungry, didn't sleep well. (do I ever?)

am Guilty Didn't practice my presentation.

A pm Surprise Have to give my presentation early.

A pm Fear Presentation time.

A pm Anger Forgot several points, people really berated me.

A pm Joy Work is done and I get to treat myself to a massage pm Joy It's Friday!

Analysis:

recognized many different physiological and cognitive components of my emotions during the three day observation period.Consciously or cognitively I perceived myself to be many different things, including distressed, fearful, surprised, joyful and even angry at times. Initially I supposed that all of my emotions would be due to cognitive responses to my environment or things happening in the day. As the three day period elapsed however, I began recognizing that some of my emotions resulted from my physiological state (like if I was fatigued or hadn't eaten well).

Interestingly, the physiological manifestation of my emotions was sometimes the same whether I was fearful or irritated. For example, on day three I felt fearful about a presentation I had to give, and I could feel my heart racing (a physiological element of my emotions). Interestingly, my heart also pumped faster (or at least I perceived this to happen) as I later experienced joy or surprise. Other physiological symptoms I noticed included the need to laugh and blushing when I felt both excitement and anger. Though the physiological symptoms were not always the same with varying emotions, they were similar enough that I noticed them.

According to the studies we have done and my understanding of the cognitive and physiological components of emotions, emotions are generally manifestations of cognitive feelings such as 'pleasant' or 'happy' that are….....