u8.qmd

# Health

## Overview {.unnumbered}

In Unit 8, you will examine what factors contribute to one’s general health. In Unit 9 you will gain more insight into stress and coping. Together, Units 8 and 9 span information from Chapter14 in your textbook, giving you a broad overview of the field of health psychology.

Health psychologists study both positive and negative impacts that humans’ behaviour and decisions have on their health, survival, and well-being. The need for this field has increased considerably over the 20th century, as most premature deaths are attributable to lifestyle factors. Over this chapter you will gain knowledge about the interaction of all the levels of analysis (biological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual) with regards to your health. You will learn about the biological/physiological responses to stress and how a poor response to stress leaves a person more vulnerable to illness and slowing recovery time from illness and injury. How having at least some degree of control helps people with coping and outlook. When control is threatened, people use compensatory responses, such as detecting order within random images. You will also be informed that coping using a positive or negative style is related to personality (e.g., optimism versus pessimism). And, that positive coping increases resilience—the ability to recover from adversity, and even benefit from the experience, as is the case with post-traumatic growth. Whereas, coping via negative affectivity and pessimism can have both psychological and physiological disadvantages. Lastly, you’ll be advised as to how religion/spirituality, relaxation techniques, meditation, and biofeedback actually help people cope with stress and problems which can lead to human flourishing.

### Topics {.unnumbered}

This unit is divided into the following topics:

1. Biology of Emotion
2. Communicating Emotion
3. Experiencing Emotion

### Learning Outcomes {.unnumbered}

By the end of this unit, student's will be able to:

- Define, and apply, the key terminology related to health psychology, stress and illness, and coping and well-being.
- Explain how genetic and environmental factors influence obesity, how physiological reactions that occur under stress, and how the immune system is connected to stress responses.
- Apply your knowledge of persuasion and health to examine the effectiveness of different types of cigarette warnings, and of the beneficial effects of optimism to help you reframe stressful situations as positive opportunities.
- Analyze whether media depictions of smoking affect smoking in adolescents, the claim that ulcers are caused by stress, and whether activities such as relaxation techniques, meditation, and biofeedback actually help people cope with stress and problems.
- Describe how control over the environment and positive and negative styles of coping influences well-being.

### Learning Activities

Here is a checklist of learning activities you will benefit from in completing this unit. You may find it useful for planning your work.

- Read the relevant sections of Chapter 14 of your textbook
- Review the Chapter 14 - Notes (intended to support your understanding of your readings)
- Read about *How Lie Detectors Work*
- Read and Reflect on the articles *Body Language Speaks Volumes,* *Catching a Liar,* and *10 Reasons Why You Should Smile*
- Read and Reflect on the articles *Ways to Handle Emotion* and *Recovering Emotionally from a Disaster*

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***Note***

The course units follow topics in the textbook, *Revel for An Introduction to Psychological Science* by Krause et al. (4th Edition). For each unit, please read the pertinent chapter(s) before completing the assessment for the unit.

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***Assessment***

In this course you demonstrate your understanding of the course learning outcomes in different ways, including papers, projects, discussions and quizzes. Please see the Assessment section in Moodle for assignment details and due dates.

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### Resources {.unnumbered}

Here are the resources you will need to complete this unit:

- Krause, M., Corts, D., & Smith, S. C. (2024). *Revel for An Introduction to Psychological Science, 4th Canadian Edition.* Pearson Ed.
- Other resources will be provided online.

## Biology of Emotion

Have you ever been embarrassed? *Of course, we all have! Embarrassment is a good example for trying to sepa­rate biological, psychological, and social elements of an emotion. These correspond to blushing (biological)*, feeling embarrassed *(psychological)*, and violation of a social norm *(social)*. Now back to your embarrassing moment: Which came first, blushing, feeling embarrassed, awareness of your faux pas? Which followed next? Last?

The close connection between our minds and our bodies usually makes it difficult to tell whether our bodily emotional response comes before or after our psychological emotional response. This is why even psychologists have disagreed on whether you run from danger because you are afraid, or are afraid because you are running from danger.

### Lie Detectors {.unnumbered}

The close connection between mind and body is the basis for so-called “lie-detectors.” Of course, they do not detect lies but physical responses to cognitive information. While their "hit" rate is better than a coin toss, lie detectors can accuse the in­nocent and vindicate the guilty. Moreover, some experts claim there are simple techniques for beating the ma­chine.

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### Activity: Read and Reflect

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What do you think...*could you beat a lie detector device?* This activity will allow you to delve more deeply into the physiological aspects of human emotion (though, cognitions and behaviours do influence physiological processes) and how they can be monitored using a polygraph machine. To learn more about Lie Detectors, follow the link below:

- [**How Lie Detectors Work**](https://people.howstuffworks.com/lie-detector.htm){target="_blank"}

The reason polygraph machines can work better than flipping a coin is because they are measuring responses that often occur automatically and can be difficult, though not impossible, to bring under voluntary control.

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### Activity: Question for Consideration

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Take a moment to consider what you have learned and reflect on the following question:

- ***How many ancient or old-fashioned methods for telling if someone is lying can you find on the internet?***

*Often a person’s life depended on these highly questionable methods.*

*Be prepared to share your thoughts with other members of the class*

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## Communicating Emotion

By now you know something about the physical responses involved in emotions, and you have given some thought to our responses to our emotions. However, a very important part of the study of emotions is the way that we *communicate* them. “I feel angry,” we say. But the way we say it also carries a message. Just stop for a minute and think about how many different ways ("channels" communication experts call them) we use to communicate emotions. We use our faces, our bodies, the tone and volume of our voice; in writing we use words but we also use punctuation marks (). And what about e-mail? How many ways can you find that we use to show our emotions in e-mail? *(Hint: What are emoticons?)*

### How Many Facial Expressions? {.unnumbered}

The study of emotion has long been linked with the study of facial expressions. Psychologists have been interested in the way in which people express emotion and whether these facial expressions reliably convey the emotional message. Stud­ies by Ekman and others have raised a contemporary interest in emotional expression. It appears that there are some universal aspects of emotion across a number of cul­tures. Seven emotions have been consistently identified: happi­ness, sadness, anger, disgust, contempt, fear, and surprise. However, questions remain about whether this is a complete spectrum of emotion and whether there are cul­ture-specific aspects of facial emotion expression. What can you find on the internet concerning the number of possible facial emotional expressions?

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### Activity: Read and Reflect

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Is there a practical use to understanding how we communicate emotions? Yes, actually there are several possible uses. One very interesting use is in the understanding of deception. For as long as we have records, we know that people have understood that liars don’t seem to be able to control all of their communication channels. Verbally, they deny they are lying, but the truth screams out from eye movements; *a slightly irregular smile, a faint blush....* This activity provides additional information for your consideration:

- [**Body Language Speaks Volumes**](http://www.positive-way.com/body.htm){target="_blank"}
- [**Catching a Liar**](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/05/990528003127.htm){target="_blank"}
- [**10 Reasons Why You Should Smile**](https://www.lifehack.org/358476/10-reasons-you-should-smile-more-often){target="_blank"}

Another possible use of understanding emotional communication better is the development of computers that can read human emotions from speech or facial expressions. This would enable far better communication between computers and their human masters.

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### Activity: Question for Consideration

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Consider what you have learned in this section - reflect on the following question:

- ***Do you think that people make distinctive facial expressions when they lie? Give your answer, and an example if you can.***

*Be prepared to share your thoughts with other members of the class*

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## Experiencing Emotion

Now that you understand what’s happening inside your body when you are angry or embarrassed, or experiencing some other emotion, maybe you can see why we often find it so hard to control our emotions. Of course this leads to the question “Should we try to control our emotions?” Or should we just accept them as natural and inevitable? What is the proper role of emotions in our life? For example, imagine you are angry, very angry. Should you suppress and deny your anger out of fear of what you might do? Or should you “blow off steam” and freely express your true feelings?

Consider the following arguments *(adapted from Philipchalk,1988, p.114 ff):*

### What is the Proper Role of Emotion? {.unnumbered}

#### No Role {.unnumbered}

It is not hard to see that emotions are not only frequently unpleasant, but are also a source of conflict. *Anger* causes us to say things we later regret; *fear* of others inhibits our honesty; and even anticipated *happiness* may blind us to the harmful effects of our actions. We speak of being “swayed by our emotions,” indicating they caused us to do or say something we wouldn’t have done otherwise. Emotions are often unpredictable, making it difficult to arm ourselves against them. They vary with our physical and mental condition, with the amount of sleep we’ve had, our blood sugar level, and a host of environmental factors. They have a clear physiological “animal-like” component. And they are part of our fallen nature. Paul warns us, *“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24)*. No doubt Paul recognized that emotions arising from our physical bodies frequently play an important role in leading us to *“practice the very evil that I (we) do not wish” (Rom. 7:19).* Surely such an unpredictable and potentially dangerous influence should be discounted in favor of our more God-like rational faculties; isn’t the “cool intellect” superior to the “hot-head?”

Furthermore, since emotions are such an elusive and private matter, the direction they give to behavior is easily misinterpreted, sometimes with disastrous results. For example, we might misinterpret physiological arousal as attraction. *(Psychologists Dutton and Aron (1970) found that male subjects meeting an attractive woman on a high bridge felt more attracted to her than subjects meeting her on a lower bridge).* Or we might misinterpret our physical attraction as love. *(Psychiatrist Scott Peck (1978) argues that the experience of “falling in love” is inevitably sexual).* Particularly important for Christians is the danger of misinterpreting an emotional response as the voice of God. Some Christians frequently attempt to determine God’s will by looking for an inner feeling. They may even base life-changing decisions on fleeting inner impressions of peace, unsettledness, or excitement. This can be extremely dangerous. Such feeling may be little more than expressions of their own inner wishes or fears, or simply physiological arousal that has been mislabeled.

To summarize, emotions are unreliable, easily misinterpreted, and a tool for possible manipulation. They are deeply rooted in our animal-likeness—our physical bodies. As such they should be brought into subjection and perhaps ignored or entirely minimized. In short, it would appear from these considerations that emotions should have no legitimate role in the regulation of behavior.

#### Important Role {.unnumbered}

The first thing to note with regard to the importance of emotion is that they appear to be part of God’s design for us. God has chosen to form us as emotional beings as well as rational and volitional ones. Although we are fallen, and therefore our capacities of thought and will, as well as our emotional responses, are imperfect, we are created in God’s image nevertheless. The bible ascribes emotions to God. Although some people may dismiss these references as anthropomorphisms, God certainly acts as thought He felt emotions like anger, sadness, and joy. Furthermore, Jesus took on an emotion-feeling body, and expressed a full range of emotions (possibly more than most men in contemporary Western culture). In addition, the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) includes several blessings with strong emotional components (e.g., joy, peace). Whatever their weaknesses, emotions cannot be dismissed as wholly sinful.

One of the important early findings of modern psychology was the discovery that emotions must not be completely ignored. To deny and suppress them is to court harm. This does not mean that we should give free expression to every feeling we have. Psychological health doesn’t require that we blowup in anger every time that someone crosses us. But neither should we deny, especially to ourselves, that we are angry. Anger can be redirected to constructive ends; it can be controlled through cognitive strategies such as refusing to dwell on the situation that produced it. The Apostle Paul seems to take a similar position when he says, *“Be angry and yet do not sin” (Eph. 4:26)*, indicating that while anger is probably inevitable, the sinful response in thought or behavior is not.

Of course there is a positive side to emotions. They provide the flavor, the resonance, the texture, and the color in an otherwise dull existence. One of the main features that distinguish a person from a machine, which might be capable of many human feats, is the person’s sentient or feeling ability, the person’s capacity to experience emotion. Emotions are the source of much that is pleasant and good in life. Christians find joy and peace in serving God. Even so-called negative emotions have their value. We can direct hatred towards evil; anger can motivate us to overcome injustice; and fear can drive us to God.

Thus emotions are an inevitable part of the God-ordained human condition. They provide the highs as well as the lows in our experience, and their recognition (although not necessarily their uncontrolled expression) is necessary for our health. Although they may frequently lead us astray, and may potentially be the source of unwanted influence, we are fallen creatures, and our other faculties, rational and volitional, are also imperfect. Emotions must be trained. As C.S. Lewis noted, we must be educated to *“feel pleasure, liking, disgust, and hatred at those things which really are pleasant, likable, disgusting, and hateful” (The Abolition of Man, [1943] 1978, p.15)*. For Lewis, trained emotion not the lack of emotion is the essential mark of the virtuous person. The maturing person will show greater and greater appropriate emotionality.

Despite controversy at the theoretical level concerning the exact relationship between our thoughts and other components of emotions, the work of Stanley Schacter and Jerome Singer - see [*Schachter-Singer Theory of Emotion*](https://www.thoughtco.com/schachter-singer-theory-4691140){target="_blank"} has clearly indicated the importance of mental responses. We probably have the potential for a great deal more control over our emotions than we usually admit.

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### Activity: Read and Reflect

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How well do you handle your emotions? If you are finding that you are being led emotionally in directions that are not the best for your life or you find that you’re avoiding your emotions, it may be time to find out how to make your emotions work for you. The following resources can help you discern between helpful vs. harmful ways of dealing with emotions. The second link is a resource that offers help for emotionally dealing with disaster in your life.

- [**Ways to Handle Emotion**](https://www.mhanational.org/helpful-vs-harmful-ways-manage-emotions){target="_blank"}
- [**Recovering Emotionally from a Disaster**](https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/recovering-disasters){target="_blank"}

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### Activity: Questions for Consideration

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Take a moment to reflect on what you have learned in this section. Consider the following questions:

- ***Do you think that we can “put on a happy face” and really feel different?***
- ***Can we make ourselves happy or sad by what we think?***

*Be prepared to share your thoughts with other members of the class*

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## Assessment {.unnumbered}

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Refer to the course schedule for graded assignments you are responsible for submitting. **All graded assignments, and their due dates, can be found on the "Assessment" tab.**

In addition to any graded assignments you are responsible for submitting, be sure to complete all the Learning Activities that have been provided throughout the content - these are intended to support your understanding of the content.

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## Checking Your Learning {.unnumbered}

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Before you move on to the next unit, check that you are able to:

- Define the key terminology related to health psychology, stress and illness, and coping and well-being.
- Describe how genetic and environmental factors influence obesity, how physiological reactions that occur under stress, and how the immune system is connected to stress responses.
- Apply your knowledge of persuasion and health to examine the effectiveness of different types of cigarette warnings, and of the beneficial effects of optimism to help you reframe stressful situations as positive opportunities.
- Analyze whether media depictions of smoking affect smoking in adolescents, the claim that ulcers are caused by stress, and whether activities such as relaxation techniques, meditation, and biofeedback actually help people cope with stress and problems.
- Describe how control over the environment and positive and negative styles of coping influences well-being.

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