functionalist approach to emotion

the view that emotional behavior adaptively serves the function of establishing, maintaining, or altering the relation between an organism and its environment. For example, a hiker’s startled reaction to losing footing on a rocky path is an affective response that helps to focus the hiker’s attention and efforts to reestablish footing in the environment. [proposed in 1984 by U.S. developmental psychologists Joseph J. Campos and Karen Caplovitz Barrett]

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Psychology term of the day

November 28th 2024

postural reflex

any of a variety of automatic movements that serve to maintain body posture. See also stance reflex.