Authors: Evgeny A. Yumatov
P.K. Anokhin’s theory of functional systems revealed the central architecture of purposeful Behaviour, where emotions constitute one of the forms of mental brain activity with enormous biological, evolutionary, and social significance. Modern theories of emotions represent various views on the biological role and causes of negative and positive emotions.
“Biological Theory of Emotions” by P.K. Anokhin points out the key role of emotions in the systemic organization of purposeful Behaviour and gives a general description of the development of emotions at the initial and final stages of Behaviour formation.
According to “Information Theory of Emotions” by P.V. Simonov, the degree of expression of an emotion depends on the biological or social need and the difference between the necessary information and the one which the individual actually possesses to achieve the goal. At the same time, none of the theories fully gives a clear idea of the formation of emotions at different stages of purposeful Behaviour or takes into account the relationship of negative and positive emotions in the dynamics of purposeful Behaviour with successful or unsuccessful results.
The article presents the “Dynamic Theory of Emotions”, which characterizes the sequential development of positive, negative emotions at different stages of purposeful Behaviour, taking into account the changing ratio of the predicted probability and real achievement of the result, as well as individual personality traits.
“Dynamic Theory of Emotions” most fully reveals the origin, biological role, and participation of emotions in purposeful Behaviour and shows the possibilities for conscious, intelligent introspection, control, and management of emotions in the systemic organization of purposeful Behaviour. The main theoretical provisions of the “Dynamic Theory of Emotions” are confirmed by a complex experimental analysis of the psychophysiological state of students. The learning activity is a real model of Behaviour that reflects the general biological patterns of the development of emotions and emotional stress.
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