Understanding Human Emotions

Course Overview

Course No. 80120

Explore the evolutionary purpose and scientific foundations of human emotions with Professor Lawrence Ian Reed. This 12-lecture course examines:

✔ Why emotions developed as survival mechanisms
✔ The biological basis of emotional responses
✔ Cultural influences on emotional expression
✔ The social functions of different emotions

Key topics include:

• Evolutionary psychology of emotions
• Body-emotion interactions
• Development of emotional intelligence
• Emotional disorders and their origins
• Love’s role in human connection

Video Lectures

01: The Science and Philosophy of Emotions

Duration: 29 min
Trace emotional theories from Aristotle to modern science – do we need a definitive emotion definition?

02: How Emotions Evolved

Duration: 24 min
Natural selection’s role in developing fear, joy, anger and disgust as survival mechanisms.

03: How the Body and Emotions Influence One Another

Duration: 28 min
Fascinating experiments testing whether bodily changes can create emotional states.

04: The Social Purpose of Emotions

Duration: 28 min
How emotions facilitate social bonding through specialized “games” and tests.

05: Facial Expressions and Nonverbal Behavior

Duration: 25 min
The dual neural pathways behind genuine versus feigned emotional expressions.

06: Self-Conscious Emotions: From Empathy to Shame

Duration: 26 min
Unique physical manifestations of evaluative emotions like guilt, pride and embarrassment.

07: Culture and Emotions

Duration: 25 min
Western individualism versus global interpersonal perspectives on emotional experience.

08: How Children Develop Emotions

Duration: 26 min
Nature vs. nurture debate in emotional development through childhood.

09: The Rational and Moral Sides of Emotions

Duration: 27 min
Revealing emotions as purposeful, intelligent systems rather than irrational impulses.

10: Emotional Disorders: Anxiety and Depression

Duration: 27 min
Evolutionary explanations for persistent mood disorders in modern humans.

11: The Purpose of Disgust and Anger

Duration: 26 min
Three types of disgust (pathogen, sexual, moral) and anger’s controlled expression.

12: Connecting People: A Focus on Love

Duration: 26 min
Comparing romantic and companionate love’s evolutionary advantages.