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osu1141669741.pdf (360.24 KB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
The development and testing of a multi-component emotion induction method
Author Info
Polifroni, Mark
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1141669741
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2006, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Abstract
The purpose of this research was two-fold. First, I attempted to develop and test a method to induce discrete emotional states (anger, fear, and disgust) in experimental participants using visual and physical stimuli. Second, I intended to assess the effect of the emotional induction manipulation on participant’s appraisal of, and approach tendencies toward, a novel/ambiguous situation and/or target individual/group. The design of this induction method draws from multi-component theories of emotion, specifically, emotion appraisal, action tendencies, and embodiment theory. The multi-component appraisal theory of emotion describes emotional experience as arising from visceral reaction, cognitive appraisal, physiological arousal and proprioceptive cues. Theories of emotion action-tendencies suggest that discrete appraisal patterns yield the experience of discrete emotional states leading to predictable response tendencies. Embodiment theory suggests that emotion-relevant information is available not only in the form of cognition, but across many modalities. By manipulating the cognitive component of emotion with general physiological arousal and proprioceptive cues via participant experience of approach/avoidance, I endeavored to create an emotional state that would be outside of participant awareness and would be projected onto a target. The results of the study lend support to the theories from which this method was conceived, but suggested some important modifications. Findings of interest were obtained mostly from the conditions designed to elicit fear. Higher frequency of fear response endorsements on the open-ended measure was observed in the “inconsistent” fear/step forward condition, counter to my prediction that emotion would be intensified in the consistent conditions (i.e.., fear/step back). Participant ratings of discomfort were elevated when approaching a fear-evoking stimulus. These effects were obtained for female participants only. For male participants, the opposite was true: avoiding a fear-evoking stimulus created increased discomfort. These findings are not inconsistent with the basic premise of embodiment theory, namely that multiple information sources inform one’s experiential state. Overall, the results of these studies suggest that emotion theory in general, and theories of emotion action tendencies specifically, should be broadened to include a wider range of information that informs emotional experience as well as emotional response.
Committee
Marilynn Brewer (Advisor)
Pages
136 p.
Subject Headings
Psychology, Social
Keywords
emotion
;
action tendencies
;
approach/avoidance
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Citations
Polifroni, M. (2006).
The development and testing of a multi-component emotion induction method
[Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1141669741
APA Style (7th edition)
Polifroni, Mark.
The development and testing of a multi-component emotion induction method.
2006. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1141669741.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Polifroni, Mark. "The development and testing of a multi-component emotion induction method." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1141669741
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
osu1141669741
Download Count:
1,157
Copyright Info
© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.