MODEL OF EMOTIONAL PROCESSING 04.11.02
This describes the basic Elements Involved in processing negative emotional events
INPUT
EVENT
Events (eg hurts, slights,
embarrassments) can act
like an input event and keep
emotions bubbling on
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MODEL OF EMOTIONAL PROCESSING 04.11.02
This describes the basic Elements Involved in processing negative emotional events
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
The appraisal of the
meaning of an event is
usually unconscious and
rapid
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
past memories
schemas
Based on past memory experience and
cognition developmental level.
Problems may occur when the
individual fails to register and
respond to important events or
interpersonal cues in which case there
will be a block in feeling emotions.
Feeling too much emotion may result
from exaggerated input such as a
person who sees threats in every
gesture and innocent remark.
Emotions start with an event
consciously or unconsciously registered
by the individual, often an
interpersonal event. It may be small,
such as a criticism from a friend,
traumatic such as a car crash or
ongoing such as a stressful job.
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
Memory of past
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
experienced as gestalt
The emotion is experienced as
a gestalt or psychological
whole (eg anger) not just the
individual components (teeth
clenching, tension, sweating)
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
experienced as gestalt
awareness
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
The person is aware of
the emotion and the
physiological components
that comprise the
emotion
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
experienced as gestalt
awareness
labelling
In normal adult development the
person is able to label which
emotion they are feeling. They
may not consciously do this but
could if asked or if they
explored their feelings
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
experienced as gestalt
awareness
labelling
linking
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
The person is able to link their emotion with
the events causing it. Lack of awareness of
emotions or failure to label correctly (eg
anger, anxiety) will make it hard to
correctly link events with feelings
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
experienced as gestalt
awareness
EMOTIONAL
EXPRESSION
labelling
linking
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
There is a natural drive to express negative emotions. This may be
behavioural (hitting someone), vocal (crying, shouting, swearing) or
verbal (talking about your feelings). It may be direct (arguing with or
talking to the person who hurt you, confession, disclosure) or indirect
(kicking a door, denigrating the person behind their back, discussing it
with friends, private verbal (talking to yourself about what has
happened, praying, writing it down) or private – motor (expressing it in
music, movement, aggressive sport or art). It may be constructive
(discussing it calmly with the person who hurt you) or self defeating 4
(arguing, driving too fast)
MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
experienced as gestalt
awareness
EMOTIONAL
EXPRESSION
labelling
linking
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
Although input-experienceexpression is a natural
reaction, we develop inhibitions
or types of control, some
helpful and some harmful
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
CONTROL OF EMOTIONS
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
experienced as gestalt
awareness
EMOTIONAL
EXPRESSION
labelling
linking
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
We may attempt
to control emotions
by …..
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
CONTROL OF EMOTIONS
input
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
experienced as gestalt
awareness
EMOTIONAL
EXPRESSION
labelling
linking
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
Limiting or trying to change the initial input.
People may try to avoid dangerous or unpleasant
situations, the sight of unpleasant situations (eg
not watching the news), or avoid challenge, change
or specific stimuli (eg dentist, public speaking).
They may try to control thoughts about difficult
events.
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
CONTROL OF EMOTIONS
input
experience
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
experienced as gestalt
awareness
EMOTIONAL
EXPRESSION
labelling
linking
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
The person may try to control the emotional
experience itself. Whenever they feel anger or
unhappiness starting, they may cut it off or
squash it. They may get so good at this that
they can stop it before it is consciously
registered.
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MODEL OF EMOTIONS 04.11.02
Basic Elements Involved
CONTROL OF EMOTIONS
input
experience
expression
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
INPUT
EVENT
appraisal
of
meaning
of event
experienced as gestalt
awareness
EMOTIONAL
EXPRESSION
labelling
linking
memory
of input
past memories
schemas
It is important to develop an appropriate control of the
expression of emotions; we simply can’t go around hurting
others when thwarted. This can go wrong in two ways – over
control, where the person inhibits all expression, does nothing or
says nothing about their difficulty ie not crying at the funeral of
your spouse because it might upset the children – inability to
control, where the person habitually cannot control actions,
words or impulses even when it gets them into trouble
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