Unit 8: How People Feel

I really liked seven basic emotions are universal. It proves that no matter the ethnic group, we're all the same! And taking something so elementary - facial expressions - is truly poignant in my opinion. Basic Seven: joy, sadness, contempt, fear, disgust, surprise, and anger. It explains how we all resonant with one another when seeing tragedy hit another nation.

One of the tactics I recently employed for a presentation came from #74 - anecdotes persuade more than data. During a nutritional science presentation, I related my own story in relation to researching the topic of magnesium. I think this successfully engaged the audience in a topic that would otherwise be too factual and boring.

Other topics I found interesting were:

1. People are happy when busy: "idle hands are the devil's work" as the saying goes! However, I don't think this is what the author's intentions is on this one. I think this comes down to people don't like to be kept waiting without a useful task to engage them.
2. People enjoy surprises: I somewhat disagree but maybe because most of my surprises aren't always good ones. However, I do enjoy receiving birthday cards and wrapped presents. Sometimes, the guessing of what's in the envelope or package is more exciting than the actual gift!
3. People want what is familiar when they're sad or scared - ain't it the truth! I picture my brother with his favorite blanket, my daughter who still has her Winnie the Pooh and myself seeking asylum when experiencing a panic attack. For some it's a tactile sensation, or something to hug and feel comforted, for others it might be a place that recalls happy times.  

DEFINITIONS

Amygdala versus thalamus: "the thalamus is the part of the brain between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain;" with the exception of smell, all sensory data is routed through the thalamus. The amygdala is "where emotional information is processed;"smell goes straight to the amygdala bypassing the thalamus. This is why some smells can trigger an emotional response. The smell of chocolate chip cookies baking might remind you of home, for instance.

Nucleus accumbens: "the part of the brain that is active when people experience pleasurable events."

Attention Restoration Theory: "asserts that people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature" [Wikipedia]. There's a nice article on this at Pacific Standard Magazine, titled Thoreau was Right: Nature Hones the Mind: "A long line of the world’s thinkers — from Immanuel Kant to William James to Deepak Chopra — have recommended we take walks in nature to relieve stress and refocus our thoughts. And nature writers — from Henry David Thoreau to John Muir to Edward Abbey — have extolled the restorative benefits of nature."

“Everybody,” Muir said, “needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” 

Muir Woods National Monument, California