Defining Emotions as Functional States

Ralph Adolphs defines emotions by function, contrasts them with reflexes and volitional behavior, and lists core features.

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Episode notes

Dr. Ralph Adolphs, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Biology at Caltech and a leading expert on the science of human emotions. We discuss how emotions shape our attention and decision-making, whether emotions are truly “stored” in the body, and whether facial expressions are truly reliable signals of emotion. We also cover tools for improving emotional regulation, including cognitive reappraisal and deliberate cold exposure. This episode provides a modern scientific explanation of how emotions are created and regulated in the brain and body, their many impacts on other aspects of brain function, and practical tools for improving emotional wellbeing and processing.

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Timestamps

(00:00:00) Ralph Adolphs

(00:02:54) Emotions; Qualities of Emotions: Priority, Valence

(00:10:00) Qualities of Emotions: Scalability, Persistence