The Intrapersonal Functions of Emotion

Emotions are shor t-lived psycho logical-physiological phenomena tha t represent ef ® cient modes of adap ta tion to changing environmental demands. Psycho logically, emotions a lter a tten t ion , sh ift cer ta in behaviors upwa rd in response h iera rch ies, and act ivate relevan t associat ive netwo rks in m emory. Physiologically, emot ions rapidly organ ize the responses of d isparate b iological systems includ ing facial expression , somat ic muscular tonus, vo ice tone, aut onom ic nervous system a ct ivity, and endocr ine act ivity to produ ce a bod ily milieu that is op t imal for effective response. Emot ions serve to estab lish our position vis-aÁ -vis our environment , pu lling us toward cer ta in peop le, ob jects, act ions and ideas, a nd pushing us away from others. Emot ions a lso serve as a reposito ry for inna te and learned in ̄ uences, possessing cer ta in invarian t featu res, and o thers tha t show considerable var iat ion across ind ividua ls, groups, an d cu ltu res.