Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The central idea of this book is that biology, and particularly evolution, provide the best starting point for the study of emotion. In particular, it argues that all the conventional properties of emotion, such as expression, feeling and motivation can be considered scientifically and conclusions drawn.
Synopsis
An independent approach to the analysis of emotion asserts that biological and evolutionary considerations are useful in understanding its basic components and applies the concept to a wide variety of emotional phenomena.
Table of Contents
Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Emotion since Darwin; 2. Releasers and state-dependent reflexes; 3. Purpose and emotion; 4. Expression: a window on the emotions?; 5. Are physiological changes epiphenomena of emotions?; 6. Somatic influences on the emotion?; 7. Optimal foraging and the partial reinforcement effect: a model for the teleonomy of feelings; 8. Do emotions mature or differentiate?; 9. Cognition, learning and emotion; 10. Interaction of the components of emotion; 11. Of mice and men; 12. Biology and emotion: some conclusions; Glossary; Notes; References; Index.