Emotions 2.0: What's Better than Being Happy?
Hidden Brain
Deep Dive
Why do we often try to suppress or deny our negative emotions?
We tend to suppress negative emotions because we naturally seek pleasant experiences and avoid unpleasant ones. This avoidance can be maladaptive when it becomes chronic, leading to bigger problems than the emotions themselves.
How does emotional diversity benefit physical health?
Emotional diversity, or the richness and balance of emotions experienced daily, predicts better physical health. Studies show tangible relationships between emotional diversity and reduced doctor visits, drug consumption, and hospital days.
What role do emotions play in decision-making?
Emotions serve as messengers providing information about what's happening in our lives and guiding our actions. Experiencing a broader range of emotions allows for more flexible and adaptive responses, leading to better decision-making.
How can expanding our emotional vocabulary help us?
Expanding our emotional vocabulary allows us to be more precise about our feelings, which can change how we appraise situations. For example, understanding the Japanese term 'mono no aware' can make us more attentive to fleeting beauty, enhancing our emotional granularity.
Why is interacting with a diverse group of people beneficial for our emotional states?
Interacting with a diverse group of people can lead to a more diverse set of emotions. Studies show that a diverse social portfolio, including relatives, friends, acquaintances, and coworkers, predicts higher well-being and emotional diversity.
How can we develop our capacity for emotional granularity?
Developing emotional granularity involves asking ourselves specific questions about our emotions, such as 'What flavor of emotion am I experiencing right now?' and 'What else am I experiencing?' This practice helps us understand our emotions more precisely and respond more adaptively.
What is the analogy of treating emotions like guests trying to convey?
The analogy suggests that we should welcome and listen to our emotions as guests, but not let any single emotion dominate or dictate our actions. This approach allows us to understand and respond to emotions flexibly without being overwhelmed by them.
- French vineyards faced a monoculture crisis leading to widespread destruction.
- The analogy is extended to human psychology, questioning the effects of emotional monoculture.
- The episode introduces Jordi Quoidbach, a psychologist exploring emotional diversity.
Shownotes Transcript