EMOTIONS

Emotion is the complex

psychophysiological experience of an
individual's state of mind as interacting
with biochemical (internal) and
environmental (external) influences. In
humans, emotion fundamentally
involves "physiological arousal,
expressive behaviors, and conscious
experience."
Emotion is associated with mood,
temperament, personality and
disposition, and motivation.
Motivations direct and energize
behavior, while emotions provide the
affective component to motivation,
positive or negative.
Emotional Quotient (EQ)
Actually stands for Emotional
Intelligence Quotient.

Much like an intelligence quotient, or IQ, an
EQ is said to be a measure of a
persons emotional intelligence.
Is a term used to describe our ability to
understand and manage our own emotions
and of those around us, and also our ability
to demonstrate self discipline when
responding to emotional situations.
Refers to our capacity to feel empathy for
others, to be able to stand up for what we
believe in and to move towards our goals
and dreams in a tactful and respectful
manner, always considerate of others.
Currently there are studies being
conducted on possible ways that an EQ
may affect a persons abilities to perform
under pressure, resolve conflict, and
generally cope with challenges.
Some believe these abilities are simply a
matter of personality, which cannot be
measured or modified.

Other studies have linked EQ measurements
to communication and other social skills that
people either lack or possess.
Many people are, indeed, facing mounting
physical ailments, psychological stress, social
losses, and increased dependency at the very
end of life, most older people are well
adjusted emotionally for the bulk of their
later years
Dispositional tendencies, life events, and
individuals management of such events
can all influence whether well-being
improves or deteriorates with age.
Research suggests that reasonably high
levels of affective well-being and emotional
stability are the norm rather than the
exception at least until after adults reach
70 or 80 years of age

In contrast to decline associated with
physical and cognitive aging, emotional
aging appears to benefit from age.
Shifts in cognitive processing of
emotional stimuli and enhanced
emotional motivation and emotional
competence likely contribute to
improvements.
THEORETICAL ASSUMPTIONS
ABOUT EMOTIONAL AGING
A. Socioemotional selectivity theory
holds that anticipated endings such as the
sense that lifetime is running out give primacy
to enhancing emotionally gratifying
experiences in the moment as opposed to
maximizing future rewards
This activates mood-enhancement goals and
reduces the willingness to accept purely
negative experiences (Carstensen, 2006).
B. Dynamic integration theory
poses that diminishing cognitive
capacities associated with age make
it more difficult to integrate and
accept negative feelings, and
therefore, older adults increasingly
favor affect optimization over affect
complexity (Labouvie-Vief, 2003).


C. Life-span theory of control

The life-span theory of control holds
that individuals capacity to control
their environment and achieve their
developmental goals declines in older
adulthood(Heckhausen & Schulz,
1995; Heckhausen, Wrosch, & Schulz,
in press).

Consequently, older adults
increasingly use secondary control
strategies, such as emotion
regulation, aimed at changing the
self in order to adjust to a given
situation, rather than using primary
control strategies that change the
situation itself.
Adding to selective and
compensatory changes in emotional
preferences and strategies, it is
possible that learning and practice
effects make older adults more
competent at emotional regulation
(Blanchard-Fields, 2007; Scheibe &
Blanchard-Fields, 2009).

Specifically, the long-term experience
and practice in dealing with
emotional situations should lead
older adults to acquire situational,
strategic, and procedural knowledge
about emotional processes that
increase their effectiveness in
handling emotional situations.
Role of Hugs
A hug is a form of physical intimacy, that
usually involves closing or holding the arms
around the neck, back, or waist of another
person
A hug, sometimes in association with a kiss,
eye contact or other gestures, is a form of
nonverbal communication
Depending on culture, context and
relationship, a hug can indicate familiarity,
love, affection or friendship.
One person may hug another
as an indication of support,
comfort, and consolation. A
hug can be a demonstration of
affection and emotional
warmth, sometimes arising out
of joy or happiness at meeting
someone. Sometimes hugs are
a romantic exchange.
People need "hugs throughout
their lives - it isn't a sensation
that only benefits babies,
children and adolescents and
older people.
Hugs are good for the soul - not only for
improved emotional well-being but for
physical health as well. Without hugs,
many people become sad, withdrawn and
even depressed.
A hug provides solace, safety and
tenderness. It enables us to have social
contact and an overall sense of well-being
through the feeling(s) of importance and
belonging.

Hugging has been proven
to have health
benefits. One study has
shown that hugs increase
levels of oxytocin,
and reduce blood pressure.

This is a picture from an article
called The Rescuing Hug. The
article details the first week of life
of a set of twins. Apparently, each
were in their respective
incubators, and one was not
expected to live. A hospital nurse
fought against the hospital rules
and placed the babies in one
incubator. When they were
placed together, the healthier of
the two threw an arm over her
sister in an endearing embrace.
The smaller babys heart rate
stabilized and her temperature
rose to normal.

Let us not forget to
embrace those whom
we love!
Fallbacks
Erik Erikson, in his Eight Stages Of
Life Theory, characterizes old age
as a period of "Integrity vs.
Despair", during which a person
focuses on reflecting back on their
life.

Those who feel proud of
their accomplishments
will feel a sense of
integrity. Successfully
completing this phase
means looking back with
few regrets and a general
feeling of satisfaction.
These individuals will
attain wisdom, even
when confronting death.

Those who are
unsuccessful during this
phase will feel that their
life has been wasted and
will experience many
regrets. The individual
will be left with feelings
of bitterness and despair.

The problems besetting the elderly are
not only confined to the physical. They
also suffer mentally and emotionally,
often feeling lonely and depressed.
The fallbacks of aging are :
a) Illness
b) Depression (Isolation, neglect)
c) Death
The human touch restores a form
of human connection that may give
them back the will to live and
rediscover the joys of life. It gives
them a feeling of self worth and
shows them that they do matter
and they have value.

"Life is not lost by dying;
life is lost minute by
minute, day by dragging
day, in all the thousand
small uncaring ways."
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING