Differences Between Emotion, Mood, Personality, And Temperament - Theories Of Emotion

Drawing differences between emotions, mood, temperament and personality

Discuss the differences between emotion, mood, personality and temperament. Then, discuss two theories of emotion. finally, give your suggestion how we can better manage our emotion.

Emotion is one of the mental characteristics featuring the activities of mind supported by the degree of displeasure and pleasure. Many psychologists have pointed out that emotions are influenced by the psychological behavior of the person. Emotions stimulate the working of the nervous system at any situations. This tends to dominate the senses of human when the latter faces any circumstances, which might be suitable or dangerous to that being at high intensity (Damasio & Carvalho, 2013; Izard, 2013). The aim of the topic is to point out the differences between  emotions and its various wings such as mood, personality and temperament based on the discussion. The topic also states about the two theories of emotion such as James- Lange theory and Cannon-Bard theory which evaluates the physiological emotions with intricacy, the two different theories pointing out the aspects and origin of emotions in human mind

Mood, personality and temperament are entwined with emotions. However, there are certain differences between them that needs to be pointed out accordingly. These aspects are the vital elements, which can shape a human nature. These elements tend to describe human beings psychology through their responses. Therefore, by keeping this important view in mind, it is significant to discuss the characteristics of these mental activities and how they are linked to each other with their differences. Emotion is expressed by consciously expressing the thoughts and the mental activity that a human experienced. It is stimulated by the outcome of the response of the external behavior or environment. It affects the person psychologically but tends to last for a shorter period. For example, another person’s attitude might hurt a person and latter becomes emotionally weak. The attitude is the result of the external environment, which is regulating the nervous system of the person who is hurt. Mood is the extension of emotion or it is being regulated by the habits of a person. It lasts longer than emotions. For example, if a person is emotionally hurt at a higher intensity, and if the reaction lasts longer, it might affect the person’s habits such as sleeping or eating. This results to the change in mood of the person (Droit, 2013; Farb & Seagl, 2012). Temperament unlike emotion and mood is either inherited or innate in a person’s character. It is also something which a child learned with experiences and therefore brought a change in the character of the child as that person grows up. The intentions, behavior are measured by the parameter of a man’s temperament towards environment. Personality on the other hand carries all the qualities which can make a person to stand out from the crowd of people (Mischel, 2013). Emotions, mood and temperament are the basic qualities, which shape up the character of human and also make the human distinct from other individuals. It is based on response of the person to the environment around him (Halverson, Konstamm & Martin, 2014).

Theories of emotions

Unlike personality and temperament, emotion is not closely related to  someone’s personality, yet it being one of the major qualities, describes the behavior of personality in a human being. It does not exist longer nor it gets tangled up with the characteristic of human nature. Emotions are the sudden happenings that happen with a man, it is more an external push to the adrenalin hormone of the living beings. Mood also , more or less like emotions, do not tend to describe someone’s temperament and personality for a major extent in most of the times. Mood as already mentioned before is an extension of emotions and for example if a teenager has a major disorder of depression, the teenager can feel sad for some time or some weeks, this transition should not be included in his personality trait (Morris, 2012). This can be treated with any treatment assistance, encouragement and change of places. It has been already stated before that temperament is the mental ability of the human being. It tends to last longer. Unlike Emotions and Mood, it is closely associated with personality. Some people tent to suffer from nervousness or become irritated with small things. It is vague than the other three qualities of human being. It is based on beliefs where on the other hand, emotion is a sudden reaction and an immediate response of the human being to the people with whom they are dealing and a person’s mood can be identified if it extends for a longer period (Morris, 2012). Personality is an another mental ability which gives a shape to the human character, it is displayed for a longer period of time. For example a child who is having bipolarity generally influenced the child’s reaction on any type of situations or events. This characteristic is also known by the name Personality Trait. Even if the child is loving and stubborn, it is the child’s personality trait , it is finally describe the person. Unlike Emotions and mood, firstly it is not temporary, personality is inherited. Secondly, Temperament can be nurtured as one starts to grow, it is more a natural or reasonable instinct. On the other hand, personality can be achieved in an individual for years (Chen & Schmidt, 2015; Halverson, Konstamm & Martin, 2014). Different factors such as pressures in life, being social and education brings an impact on the personality. However, a person’s personality can only be identified or justified if that person   shows the qualities of emotion mood and temperament.

Therefore, linking up these basic qualities of human beings, it could be deduced that a person’s mood, emotions temperament and personality although share much different characteristics, but a finally a personality of a human being can only be judged if that person carries the qualities of these psychological and behavioral elements. A strict person in a society should be emotionally strong, will not let the emotions to change the mood. The person must show or control owns temperament in any harsh situation and this entire thing will finally give shape to personality of the person.

Among the six major theories of emotion, The James Lange theory and The Cannon bard are the two important theories, which are discussed in the following (Plutchik & Kellerman, 2013).

It is regarded as one of the best examples to describe the emotion based on physiology. William James and Carl Lange, two physiologists, propound the theory of emotion in the year 1884, points out that emotions are the result of the series of physiological events. It is stated in the theory that external push or stimulus leads to a physiological reaction. Thee theory suggests that the interpretation of the physical reactions will depend upon the reactions of emotions. The reactions of body will determine the emotions of a person ( Laird & Lacasee, 2014). For example, when a person is walking on the street and suddenly a car came down to that person in a rush, however, the driver at the right moment stopped the car and the man got relieved. The entire incident’s outcome could be concluded in a way that the person got frightened which happened on the sudden beatings of the heart. Thus, the knowledge the theory imparts is that the person was felt frightened because the person was quivering, not the vice versa.

Another important theory of physiology is Cannon Bard theory. Walter Cannon, the one who has propounded theory in 1920 in contrast to the James Lange theory of emotion later extended by Philip Bard in 1930, stated that the human also sometimes experience physiological reactions which are connected to emotions that in actually cannot be felt. For example, while walking on the treadmill, a person can feel the heart beats without being frightened, but for the exercise which was done. It has also been stated by the theory that it might happen the person before while facing any danger, before experiencing the fear related to physiological symptoms such as fast breathing, quivering or trembling, the person will start getting afraid. According to this theory, shivering , sweating and the tension of muscle can be felt at the same time (Dror, 2014).

Emotions are the basic part of life, and this is something, which is inevitable for the human to manage them accordingly. The best ways to manage them is that while encountering the danger in environment, a person without understanding the depth should not react right a way. Even if that person is angry, he needs to control and must fetch a diplomatic plan. While a person cannot bottled up the emotions, that person needs to speak with the dear ones . Whenever any negative thoughts are pondering, it is important to replace them with positive thinking (Ayoko, Konrad & Boyle,2012).

Conclusion

Thus to conclude, emotions are the basic part of a human’s life and it is being managed or stimulated according with the situations. Researchers have already trying to figure out the depth of emotions by writing theories making out the differences between mood, temperament, personality and emotions. The two physiological theories have well explained the importance of physiological aspects in the theory. It has also been stated in the topic that how the management of emotions can be done.

References

Ayoko, O. B., Konrad, A. M., & Boyle, M. V. (2012). Online work: Managing conflict and emotions for performance in virtual teams. European Management Journal, 30(2), 156-174.

Chen, X., & Schmidt, L. A. (2015). Temperament and personality. Handbook of child psychology and developmental science.

Damasio, A., & Carvalho, G. B. (2013). The nature of feelings: evolutionary and neurobiological origins. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 14(2), 143-152.

Droit-Volet, S. (2013). Time perception, emotions and mood disorders. Journal of Physiology-Paris, 107(4), 255-264.

Dror, O. E. (2014). The Cannon–Bard thalamic theory of emotions: A brief genealogy and reappraisal. Emotion Review, 6(1), 13-20.

Farb, N. A., Anderson, A. K., & Segal, Z. V. (2012). The mindful brain and emotion regulation in mood disorders. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 57(2), 70-77.

Halverson, C. F., Kohnstamm, G. A., & Martin, R. P. (2014). The developing structure of temperament and personality from infancy to adulthood. Psychology Press.

Izard, C. E. (2013). Human emotions. Springer Science & Business Media.

Laird, J. D., & Lacasse, K. (2014). Bodily influences on emotional feelings: Accumulating evidence and extensions of William James’s theory of emotion. Emotion Review, 6(1), 27-34.

Mischel, W. (2013). Personality and assessment. Psychology Press.

Morris, W. N. (2012). Mood: The frame of mind. Springer Science & Business Media.

Plutchik, R., & Kellerman, H. (Eds.). (2013). Theories of emotion (Vol. 1). Academic Press.