Emotion Discussion Initial Post Date
Your initial reply is due earlier than the responses to your classmates. This is done to give your classmates enough time to read and comment on each other’s initial replies.
To get started, read the The Science of Inside Out Download The Science of Inside Out written by two psychologists and create a new thread thoroughly answering one of these questions:
Comment on the statement that “emotions organize – rather than disrupt – rational thinking.” How do you explain this statement and how does this compare with what society tells us? You must answer the question using something other than what is listed in the article but that can be used as a starting point if you choose. What evidence can you find to attach and support this?
How does emotional maturity set the stage for us to add new facets to our identity? You must answer using something other than what is listed in the article but that can be used as a starting point. Explain what this means to you and/or how you have seen this in the lives of others.
Then over the course of the next few days (check your course calendar for specific dates) post at least three other times with substantive responses to other students’ posts.
This discussion forum is worth 30 points towards your course grade.
The initial is worth post 15 points. The reply posts 5 points each. Late posts will not be accepted.
ANSWER
In the article “The Science of Inside Out,” the statement that “emotions organize – rather than disrupt – rational thinking” is a profound insight into the intricate relationship between emotions and cognition. This statement implies that emotions play a crucial role in facilitating rational thinking and decision-making rather than hindering them, which may contradict some common societal beliefs.
One way to explain this statement is by considering the evolutionary perspective. Emotions have evolved as adaptive responses to help us navigate our environment effectively. For instance, fear triggers a fight-or-flight response, which is crucial for survival when faced with a threat. This emotional response organizes our thoughts, focusing our attention on the danger at hand and prompting us to make quick and rational decisions to ensure our safety.
Moreover, emotions can provide valuable information and context for decision-making. They serve as signals that convey our internal states and reactions to external stimuli. For example, feeling joy when accomplishing a task indicates that the action was rewarding or satisfying. This emotional feedback helps us make rational assessments of our experiences and guides future behavior.
Society often perpetuates the misconception that emotions are irrational and should be suppressed in favor of pure logical reasoning. However, research in psychology and neuroscience has consistently demonstrated that emotions are an integral part of our decision-making process. They help us assign value to different options, prioritize goals, and make judgments about the world around us.
One piece of evidence supporting the idea that emotions organize rational thinking comes from studies on patients with brain damage that impairs emotional processing. Such individuals often struggle with making decisions, even in seemingly straightforward situations, as they lack the emotional guidance that helps organize choices based on personal values and priorities.
In conclusion, the statement that “emotions organize – rather than disrupt – rational thinking” aligns with our understanding of how emotions function in the human cognitive process. Emotions serve as essential tools that aid us in making rational decisions, adapting to our environment, and assigning value to our experiences. This perspective challenges societal norms that may overlook the valuable role emotions play in our daily lives and decision-making processes.