Introduction to Magda Arnold's Appraisal Theory on Emotions

Overview

• Magda Arnold's Appraisal Theory
  • Reintroduces cognitive elements of emotions
  • Roots in Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas
  • Relevant for modern study of emotions

Biography of Magda Arnold

• Born in Moravia (now Czech Republic) in 1903
• Died in the USA in 2002
• Lived in Canada with family
  • Later moved to the United States
• Most renowned book: Emotion and Personality (1954)

Historical Context

• Connection to Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas
  • Central concept: "objects of our emotions"
  • Timeline of emotions based on the presence or absence of objects

Key Concepts in Arnold's Theory

Core Emotions

• Love
• Hatred

Emotional Responses

Absence and Presence of Sensible Goods

• Absence: Desire
• Presence: Joy

Absence and Presence of Sensible Evils

• Absence: General aversion
• Presence: Sadness

Complex Emotions Towards "Arduous Goods"

• Attainable Goods: Hope
• Unattainable Goods: Despair

Reactions to Harmful Objects

• Absent Evil: Fear or Daring
• Present Evil: Anger

Arnold's Adaptation of the Traditional Map

• Person at the Center
  • Objects viewed as beneficial or harmful
  • Emphasis on absence for emotional distinction

Impulse and Contending Emotions

• Beneficial Objects:
  • Delight/Joy (Present)
  • Aversion/Recoil (Absent)

Difficulty Appraisal

• Complexity in facing different situations
  • Determines emotional outcome

Positive vs. Negative Emotions

• Positive Emotions:

  • Love/Like
  • Hope
  • Joy
  • Courage
  • Anger (as a proactive force)

• Negative Emotions:

  • Hate/Dislike
  • Despair
  • Sadness
  • Fear
  • Rejection

Emotional Orientation

• Positive emotions drive us towards beneficial objects
• Negative emotions move us away from harm

Conclusion

• Emotional maps help understand the preservation of life
• Distinguishing between what to avoid and what to pursue

Additional Notes

• Italian version of this lecture is available for further study