Introduction

1. Introduction My Introduction - Masters in Clinical psychology - Practicing psychotherapist - Experience in psychometric testing and diagnostics; psychotherapy; workshops and teaching - ECCO * bridging the gap between theory and practice * concept of an “evolving” marital relationship, based on synergy. - Special interests and aim – to study cognitive processes of couples and parents during interactions and therapeutic recommendations for the same.

2. Introduction Paper Introduction RESOURCES(cognitive and emotional) COPING - Cognitive resource eg: problem solving ability - Emotional resource eg: emotional quotient Cognitive and emotional resources are effected by EMOTIONAL AROUSAL 1 Objective: to study the effect of Emotional Arousal on Problem Solving Ability and EQ. How can emotional arousal be coped with for better cognition 3 Can we atleast make one recommendation for better problem solving amongst couples

3. Key concepts EMOTIONS Distinctions: Emotion and feeling Emotion and cause of emotion Emotion and result of emotion Emotion- Functionalist approach- Nico Frijda Dimensions/classification: Bipolar Basic and complex Primary emotions Meta-emotions Occurrence in time Emotional dispositions- character traits Affective states Emotion for episode- “past/present/future”

4. Key concepts Theoretical background of emotions Evolutionary - natural selection, universality Physiological – adrenalin, amygdala, hypothalamus Somatic – James-Lange theory Cognitive – emotions precede behavior ECCO view – feedback mechanism 2 factor – cognition is used to interpret meaning of physiological reaction to outside events (Shacter & Singer) Sociology of emotions – norms, micro and macro rules

5. Key concepts EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Contributions and research (Darwin, Thorndike, Wechsler, Gardner, Wayne Payne) Definitions and Models Ability based EI model (Salovey and Grewal, 2005) Mixed models of EI (Goleman) Trait EI model (Petrides et al, 2000) Reuven Bar-On (2006)- Emotion Quotient

6. Key concepts EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Some Scales of EQ tests Emotional self awareness Empathy Life pressures

7. Key concepts EMOTIONAL AROUSAL Emotions are products of the Limbic system Neocortex- processes information, thinks Fight or flight- “self preservation” “It may lead to retardation of cognitive processes due to emphasis and focus on self preservation.” Lacey(1967)- physiological signs and symptoms Mandler and Sarason 1980s - Task Irrelevant Cues Self Preoccupying thoughts eg. catastrophizing Stress reduces “Attentional capacity” Modalities.. Relation with relaxation techniques

8. Key concepts COGNITION Cognitive view THOUGHT  EMOTION  BEHAVIOR Cognitive psychotherapy Focuses on perception, thoughts, judgments, evaluations PROBLEM SOLVING Initial state to goal state (Newell and Simon, 1977) Modulation and control of fundamental skills (Goldstein and Levin, 1987) Real world problem solving

9. Key concepts PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF EXPERIENCES DURING AROUSAL Physiological experiences during arousal Prior knowledge of experiences during arousal - S. Schacter and J. Singer Possible effects of prior warning - positive and negative

10. Relation between Key concepts Emotions as a necessary component of Cognition Damasio 1994 (localized areas of the brain) Problem solving and Emotions Gonsalez et al, 2004 - PERCEPTION AND NEGOTIATION - anger negatively affected problem solving and negotiation skills - main objective was forgotten during anger 2. Isen et al, 1987 - CREATIVITY - Positive emotional arousal had positive effects on problem solving.

11. Relation between Key concepts Problem solving and Emotional arousal Zurilla and Nezu “Problem solving Therapy” Yerkes and Dodson “Inverted U relationship” Easterbrook (1959)- as EA increases, attention is restricted. Mandler (1982)- EA effects generation of alternatives. Janis (1982)- EA results in cognitive deficiencies. Yerkes-Dodson curve Performance Emotional arousal

12. Application Marital concerns, divorces, separation - rampant social problem Plausible reasons - lack of objectivity - touchy in problem solving. Guideline in psychotherapeutic work - Awareness of emotional arousal. - Controlling the effects of emotional arousal. - Focusing on problem and not person. - Cognitive Management of emotions.

13. Therapeutic value-1 Prior information of what might be experienced during arousal higher EQ Better self awareness Better preparedness for arousal Mindfulness Less anxiety over arousal Stay “in control”

14. Therapeutic value 2 Common view of problem and goal Attentional capacities for goal of A = Aa ; of B = Ba perception A has of B = pB perception B has of A = pA Interaction between A and B = i Then Aa=p1/(p1 + i(pB)); and Ba=p2/(p2 + i(pA)) A pA p1 G i B pB p2

15. Therapeutic value 3 Empathy empathetic interaction= ei With ei A and B come to a common perception of goal = PG.  an increase in available collective attention.  “SYNERGY” A G PG AB ei B

16. Empathy v/s no empathy A pA p1 G i B pB p2 A G PG AB ei B

17. Variables: Independent variables: I Emotional arousal A Subjective * Positive * Negative B Neutral II Prior knowledge of experience during arousal Dependent variables: I Emotional Quotient II Problem Solving Ability

18. Hypotheses: Emotional arousal will lead to reduced EQ amongst subjects. Exposure to subjective, negative stimuli will lead to a. highest Emotional arousal b. lowest Emotional Quotient. 3. Worse problem solving ability with Negative Emotional Arousal than with positive Emotional Arousal.

19. Hypotheses: Amongst couples who are negatively emotionally aroused- Those with prior information on what they might experience a. will have a less affected EQ b. will be better at problem solving As compared to those with no prior information.

20. Summary Emotional arousal affects: emotional quotient Problem solving ability 2. Prior knowledge of experience during arousal may help in managing its effects 3. Common perception of problem and goal helps in problem solving 4. Empathy may play a big role in problem solving 5. These may be a useful guideline during psychotherapy with couples.

21. Questions Operational definition of empathy Measuring empathy Concept of empathy quotient Fine tune perception of goal equations Problem solving task- neuro-cognitive test or simple cognitive task THANK YOU!