Emotional Messages

Emotional Messages

1. Principles of Emotions & Emotional Messages

   • Emotions may be Primary or Blended
   • Emotions are Influenced by Body, Mind & Culture
     • Bodily reactions
     • Mental Evaluations & Interpretations
     • Cultural Rules & Beliefs
   • Emotions can be used Strategically
   • Emotions have Consequences
   • Emotions are Contagious
     • Emotional Contagion
     • Emotional Appeals
   • Emotions may be Adaptive & Maladaptive
     • Adaptive
     • Maladaptive
     • Catastophizing/Awfulizing
   • Emotional Expression is Governed by Display Rules
     • Culture display rules
     • Gender display rules
       • Fundamental attribution error

2. Obstacles to Communicating Emotions

   • Societal & Cultural Customs
   • Fear
     • Can be:
       • Adaptive
       • Maladaptive
   • Inadequate Interpersonal Skills

3. Emotional Competence

   • Emotional Understanding
     • Pertinent questions:
       • (1) "What am I feeling, and what made me feel this way?"
       • (2) "What exactly do I want to communicate?"
       • (3) "What are my communication choices?"
   • Emotional Expression
     • Describe the reasons you're feeling as you are
     • Address mixed feelings
     • Own your feelings
     • Ask for what you want
       • I-messages
     • Respect emotional boundaries
       • Alert for nonverbal cues
     • Be specific
       • Intensity
       • Mixed feelings
     • Anchor your emotions in the present
   • Emotional Responding
     • Responding to the feelings of others via listening:
       • Look at nonverbal cues to understand the individual's feelings
       • Look for the cues as to what the person wants you to do
       • Active listening techniques
       • Empathise
       • Focus on the other person
       • Remember the irreversibility of communication