Lazarus’s Theory of Emotion – This book covers the entire syllabus of “Psychiatric Nursing” prescribed by the Universities of Bangladesh- for Basic and diploma nursing students. We tried to accommodate the latest information and topics. This book is an examination-friendly setup according to the teachers’ lectures and examination questions.
At the end of the book previous university questions are given. We hope in touch with the book students’ knowledge will be upgraded and flourish. The unique way of presentation may make your reading of the book a pleasurable experience.
Lazarus’s Theory of Emotion
The Lazarus theory builds on the Schachter-Singer theory, taking it to another level. It proposes that when an event occurs, a cognitive appraisal is made (either consciously or subconsciously) and based on the result of that appraisal, an emotion and physiological response follow:
Example: We are buying a few items at the super store, when two young men in hooded sweatshirts enter the store in a hurry, with their hands in their jacket pockets. We think perhaps they are here to rob the place, so we get scared and feel like us might throw up. While each of these theories is based on research, there is no absolute proof as yet how emotions arise in our bodies and minds or what determines our own individual experiences of them. What we do know is that feelings are a powerful force to be reckoned with and should never be belittled
Emotion in health and illness:
Dr Schindler says by controlling our own emotions we can eliminate half of the nagging illnesses that plague our daily lives. Our body functions well when we are happy. There is an old saying, “Joy Emotion in health and illness: is the best medicine”.
1. Intense and unpleasant emotions disturb the whole individual; if they persist, they may cause illness or worsen the condition of one already ill.
2. Ordinarily physiological reactions during an emotion facilitate the adjustment of the individual and these reactions do not last a long time and not have any harmful effects on our body. But when an emotion recurs again and again and remains for a long time, troubles may start, affecting the physical health.
3. Modern medicine shows that uncontrolled emotionality plays a vital role in the causation of many physical disorders, which include:
✓ Peptic ulcer.
✓ Heart diseases.
✓ Epilepsy.
✓ Diabetes and tuberculosis (TB) are made worse
✓ Bronchial asthma
✓ Increased BP
✓ chronic constipation.
✓ Functional colitis.
✓ Skin disorders like pruritus, psoriasis etc.
✓ Susceptible to infections.
nurse has to reduce the intensity of emotional disturbances as much as it is possible for her.
Figure: Lazarus theory
Read more: