Michael Hoerger

Emotion

Emotion

 Affect (af-ekt): the psychologist’s word for emotion, especially outwardly expressed emotion  Preference for particular affects varies across people and situations  Experts disagree on basic categories

Positive and Neutral Affects

+ Interest + Enjoyment  Surprise

Negative Affect

Sadness Fear Anger Shame Disgust

Shame

 Shame: Feeling of one’s self as bad    Commonly misunderstood Embarrassment: Shame in the presence of others Guilt: Feeling that one’s actions are bad  Most important negative affect?

When do we experience shame?

Shame Clips

Waiting Weatherman Billy Madison Tommy Boy Seinfeld Who Wants To Be A Millionaire National Anthem

Universal Shame Activators

        Looking in the mirror Making mistakes Strangers Others’ shame Success Parents/authority After becoming angry Feeling needy/insecure

Shame-binds

 Due to behaviorist principles, we learn to associate emotions with various stimuli  For example, shame can become associated with other emotions, drives, or interpersonal needs

Affect-shame Binds

    Some people experience shame any time expressing certain (or all) affects Anger-shame bind: “You don’t raise your voice at me” Sadness-shame bind: “We don’t cry in this family” Enjoyment-shame bind: “Wipe that smile off your face”

Drive-Shame Binds

 Shame can become attached to basic drives, such as hunger, sex, etc.

 Shame associated with:  Sex, sexuality, sex before marriage, masturbation, eating, drinking, urinating

Need-shame Binds

 Shame can also be bound to interpersonal needs:        Relationships Touching/holding Identification Differentiation Being nurtured Affirmation Power

Self-esteem

 Low self-esteem: Shame bound to the key aspects of one’s identity  Shame bound to:  Personality traits, physical appearance, gender, race/ethnicity, religion, sexuality, occupation, income, past mistakes, activities

Erikson & Shame

        Trust vs. Mistrust Autonomy vs. Shame Initiative vs. Guilt Industry vs. Inferiority Identity vs. Role Confusion Intimacy vs. Isolation Generation vs. Stagnation Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Tools

  Collecting Happiness: 5 things that made you smile or feel happy Collecting Adequacy/Pride: 5 things that you accomplished or made you feel proud “Dynamics of Power: Fighting Shame and Building Self-Esteem” (1991) by Gershen Kaufman, $5 used on Amazon.com

Michael Hoerger  To cite this lecture: Hoerger, M. (2007, January 31). Emotion and Developmental Psychology University.

. Presented at a PSY 220 lecture at Central Michigan