Emotional Intensification Research Articles

Political emotions in violent contexts: do moral shocks influence activism?

ABSTRACT Feelings of injustice and political engagement are often connected, sometimes unquestioningly; the idea being that one generates the other along a sort of continuum. This article examines the links that surface between moral feelings – as a specific form of political emotional experience – and engagement, starting with a decentring of current Western democratic contexts and a shift towards coercive or authoritarian contexts, using field research from the Middle East. Clearly, the emotional intensification linked to violent political experiences must be taken into account, but this emotional intensification does not alone establish any necessary continuity between the shock of certain experiences, a feeling of injustice, and engagement. Activist articulations of a feeling of injustice are in fact three-layered: expression of a feeling fed by lived or transmitted experiences, a reference to ideological frameworks that both legitimise their forms of engagement and help give meaning to their situation, and inscription within a general moral argument.

Travelling Noodles and Migrating Pieces of Raw Fish

Travelling Noodles and Migrating Pieces of Raw Fish

Emotionalisation of contemporary media discourse: A research agenda

This special issue continues the discussion of the role of emotion in discourse (see Russian Journal of Linguistics 2015 (1) and 2018, 22 (1)) which, as testified by the burgeoning body of literature in the field, has become more prominent in different spheres and contexts of public life. This time we focus on emotionalisation of media discourse. We highlight the intensification of emotions in media and, showcasing contributions from international authors, critically reflect on constructions, functions and pragmatic purposes of emotions in media discourse. Our aim is to investigate emotions in the media from semiotic, pragmatic and discursive perspectives against the contemporary socio-political background in which traditional notions concerning the role of media are being noticeably changed. In this introductory article, we also put forward an agenda for further research by briefly outlining three main areas of exploration: the logics of media production and reception , the boundaries of media discourse, and the semiotic resources deployed to construct emotionality . We then present the articles in this issue and highlight their contributions to the study of linguistic representations of emotions. We then summarise the main results and suggest a brief avenue for further research.

Survivor Trees: Spectrality and Stickiness

ABSTRACTSurvivor trees are those which have survived disasters. They are often the only things left following the destruction of buildings by earthquakes, tsunamis, atomic blasts, and bombings. Survivor trees are located within the discourses of architecture and landscape architecture. This paper focuses particularly on the affectiveness of trees, their generation of emotions, and their propagation of atmosphere. Survivor trees at sites such as 9/11, the Oklahoma bombing, and the Japanese tsunami become affectively “sticky,” as places of emotional intensification with traces of the spectral. Haunting and affect theory are closely entwined, and both tune into the often invisible pulses that activate elements of the landscape. Both are entwined with the extraordinary and the supernatural, with heightened feelings, shivers and shimmers. This intensity of affect and haunting generates an affective atmosphere, that elusive aura which permeates places and moments with special feeling. Affective atmospheres suffuse us with intangible emotional presence; with survivor trees, this brings a strange familiarity, an uncanniness. The names given to survivor trees, such as “witness” or “seeing,” emphasise this haunting, affective resonance. Negative emotions and associations stick to survivor trees as well, including the trees who refuse to completely die – the zombie trees, whose haunting becomes something sinister.

Effects of soundtrack music on the video game experience

ABSTRACTAesthetic elements such as soundtrack music have been neglected in game entertainment research. Based on previous work in games research and the psychology of film soundtracks (Cohen, 2001), we test the hypotheses that soundtrack music contributes to players‘ enjoyment via intensification of emotions (affective route) and via amplification of the sense of spatial presence and identification with the game character (cognitive routes). Study 1 tested these assumptions with N = 68 young male players of an episode of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag®, either with the original soundtrack music present or absent, and reported game enjoyment, as well as scores of the assumed mediator variables afterward. In Study 2, N = 59 young males played an episode of Alien: Isolation® with soundtrack music present or absent and reported their horror experience, as well as the experiential facets as in study 1. Findings clearly show an indirect effect of soundtrack music on enjoyment through positive emotions (study 1) and an impact of (shocking) music on players’ horror experience (study 2). However, a mediation of the effect of soundtrack music on game enjoyment via spatial presence or identification was not established. We discuss implications for future research in game entertainment.

S170 REM – Dreaming – Emotions: The neurophysiology of nightmare disorder

Objectives Nightmares are intense and highly unpleasant mental experiences that occur usually – but not exclusively – during late-night Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and often provoke abrupt awakenings.The underlying mechanism of nightmare disorder was only scarcely investigated and remains poorly understood. The most influential model of nightmare disorder that provided a common framework fortrauma-related and non-traumatic (idiopathic) nightmares was introduced by Levin and Nielsen (2007). One of the main assumptions of the model is that nightmares reflect unsuccessful fear-extinction processes during (REM) sleep due to a dysfunctional brain network comprising fronto-limbic structures. Consequently, amygdalar over-activation and inefficient (prefrontal) inhibition lead to the emotional intensification of dreaming and hyperarousal during sleep. Nevertheless, sleep quality and emotional regulation in nightmare sufferers was mainly examined by questionnaire-based studies. Methods We have performed a series of quantitative EEG analyses based on the polysomnographic data of young (non-ptsd) nightmare sufferers and matched controls. Moreover, in a subsequent study we investigated emotional habituation to arousing images after a night of polysomnographically monitored sleep in a group of nightmare sufferers and matched controls. Emotional reactivity was quantified by subjective evaluations and psychophysiological measures (HRV, SCR). Results In line with questionnaire-based findings, we found that nightmare sufferers are characterized by fragmented sleep, reduced Slow Wave Sleep (SWS), enhanced microarousals during NREM sleep and heightened wake-like oscillations during REM sleep. Furthermore, arousal-related cortical activity coupled with attenuated parasympathetic regulation were evidenced in nightmare sufferers specifically during NREM to REM transitions. Discussion Given that the neural network underlying emotional memory processing is highly active during REM periods, and REM sleep seems to be intimately related to fear memory processing, our findings might indirectly support Levin and Nielsen’s assumption of disrupted REM-dependent fear-extinction in nightmare disorder. Nevertheless, the association between impaired emotional regulation and altered sleep physiology remains to be investigated. Conclusions In our experiments we aimed to directly test Levin and Nielsen’s fear-extintion model of nightmare disorder and to relate impaired emotional regulation to specific sleep EEG features. We conclude that examining nightmare disorder by such integrative approach would shed more light on the enigma of REM sleep and emotional memory processing. Significance Our research could shed more light on the mechanism of nightmare formation, propagate the professional knowledge of nightmare disorder, and facilitate the development of effective, evidence-based treatment procedures.

THE USAGE OF STYLISTIC MEANS AND DEVICES IN ENGLISH ADVERTISING SLOGANS AND PROBLEMS OF THEIR TRANSLATION

The present article deals with the analysis of stylistic means and devices usage in English advertising slogans. The functional aspect of stylistic devices usage and the problems of their translation are stated. Stylistic means are those phonetic, graphical, morphemic, lexical and syntactical forms which exist in language as a system for the purpose of logical and emotional intensification of the utterance. They are widely used in English advertising slogans in order to enhance the impact on consumers and stimulate the product demand. The phonetic expressive means such as onomatopoeia, alliteration, assonance, rhyme are mainly used in radio advertising. Such stylistic devices as epithet, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, different types of repetition can be found almost in every single advertising slogan. They make them more expressive, vivid, colourful, memorable and attention-getting. But at the same time stylistic means and devices usage complicates the process of advertising slogans translation and considerably influences the choice of vocabulary units in target language as the translator has to choose lexical items with the equivalent meaning and retain the stylistic effect.

Paris and the Awakening of Wagner's Nationalism

At the beginning of his career, Richard Wagner (1813–1883), was considered a universal composer—a true cosmopolitan. However, indigence, the “bad” tastes of the Parisian audiences, and poor relationships with the managers of French musical institutions had a huge impact on Wagner’s perception of foreign music. Furthermore, the representatives of Parisian music life were indifferent to foreign composers, particularly those of German nationality, and were wary of themes related to German culture. This paper explores Wagner’s first stay in Paris, from 1839 to 1842, through analysis of his writings during that time. A comparison of Wagner’s texts written before his time in Paris and those written after his return to Saxony reveals an emotional intensification towards the German tradition, foreshadowing its zenith in his mature writings and his unconditional turn towards the German tradition.

Charts of the ‘Innocent’ Subjects in the Searching Peak of Tension Tests

Summary The assessment of physiological parameters of the innocent subjects in the SPOT in the presented cases has its limits, while a comparison of these parameters with the charts of the perpetrators causes doubts as to the methodological soundness (lack of a sufficient number of cases). There are as many as four reasons hindering the assessment. First of all, the number of presented charts of the innocent subjects is small; they are practically isolated cases and with tests featuring mainly names (given names, pseudonyms). Secondly, I did not repeat the SPOT if it did not cause any reaction and at the same time the preliminary assessment of the CQT charts was positive for the subjects. Th is makes it impossible to compare physiological parameters of the subject in at least two SPOT charts in order to assess the evolution of the emotional activation. The parameters recorded during a SPOT were compared with the fi rst CQT chart, but this article does not present them. Another problem results from the fact that the category of the ‘innocent’ includes the charts of two subjects (the witness of the behaviour of the possible perpetrator after the murder and the instigator of a murder). I included them in the groups of the ‘innocent’ only because the version before the examination assumed that they were the murderers, while their reactions to the control questions in the CQT were greater than those to the fundamental relevant question (‘Did you do it?’). As I mentioned above, physiological parameters of the two men in the consecutive CQT charts hinted at intensifi cation of emotions and the subjects themselves also displayed external manifestations of emotions. In principle, their charts should be presented in the group of ‘the perpetrators’. Although the manifestations of emotions were distinct, their assessment was subjective – and it cannot be verifi ed. Both subjects interfered with the examination: one refused to have his blood pressure and pulse recorded and the other interrupted the examination. This behaviour is typical for ‘the perpetrators’. Both subjects were involved in the cases, but not in the way the investigators had originally assumed. Let me add here that this is my opinion and it has not been backed by legal decisions. Physiological parameters of the innocent subjects presented in the SPOT charts can only be assessed visually, because the Lafayette polygraphs which I used did not record them digitally. A visual assessment is not precise and to great extent subjective. Only one parameter – the pulse rate – lends itself to digital assessment, but with the reservations mentioned above.

The Emotional Journey of Women Experiencing a Breast Abnormality

Using grounded theory, a multidisciplinary study team compared the narratives of 30 women who had recently experienced a breast cancer scare. Even though 10 women received a benign diagnosis, all women reported a difficult time prediagnosis, characterized by an array of emotions and contemplation of the meaning of life. Diagnosis separated the two groups with emotional relief dominant for the benign group and intensification of emotions for the cancer group. For those diagnosed with cancer, three factors contributed to arriving at a point of acceptance about the diagnosis and treatment: (a) sustained coping mechanisms; (b) a belief system that shifted the meaning of the cancer experience; and (c) the ability to manage non-cancer-related stressful events. Implications include the need for tailored biopsychosocial treatments that focus on reducing stress, enhancing support systems, reframing beliefs about the illness, and providing the opportunity for the women to talk about their experiences.

Incentive‐related modulation of cognitive control in healthy, anxious, and depressed adolescents: development and psychopathology related differences

Developmental changes in cognitive and affective processes contribute to adolescent risk-taking behavior, emotional intensification, and psychopathology. The current study examined adolescent development of cognitive control processes and their modulation by incentive, in health and psychopathology. Predictions include 1) better cognitive control in adults than adolescents, and in healthy adolescents than anxious and depressed adolescents, and 2) a stronger influence of incentives in adolescents than adults, and in healthy adolescents than their depressed and anxious counterparts. Antisaccadic eye movement parameters, which provide a measure of cognitive control, were collected during a reward antisaccade task that included parameterized incentive levels. Participants were 20 healthy adults, 30 healthy adolescents, 16 adolescents with an anxiety disorder, and 11 adolescents with major depression. Performance accuracy and saccade latency were analyzed to test both developmental and psychopathology hypotheses. Development and psychopathology group differences in cognitive control were found. Specifically, adults performed better than healthy adolescents, and healthy adolescents than anxious and depressed adolescents. Incentive improved accuracy for all groups; however, incremental increases were not sufficiently large to further modulate performance. Incentives also affected saccade latencies, pushing healthy adolescent latencies to adult levels, while being less effective in adolescents with depression or anxiety. This latter effect was partially mediated by anxiety symptom severity. Current findings evidence the modulation of cognitive control processes by incentives. While seen in both healthy adults and healthy adolescents, this modulatory effect was stronger in youth. While anxious and depressed adolescents exhibited improved cognitive control under incentives, this effect was smaller than that in healthy adolescents. These findings suggest differential incentive and/or cognitive control processing in anxiety and depression, and across development. Differences could result from disorder specific, or combined developmental and pathological mechanisms.

La grossesse de l’analyste : Fantasme ou réalité? ou la réalité dépasse-t-elle la fiction?

This article focuses on the pregnancy of analysts and its impact on the (reality) within analytical treatment. In this situation, the analyst on the one hand is caught between words and action, and on the other hand, begins to realize her pregnancy has an effect on patients, namely through emotional intensification of transference, almost instant awareness of the pregnancy by some, which incidentally sometimes leads to silence in the form of denial or inhibition. The analyst herself, in a transferential reaction, could seek to break the silence, along with the interrelation, while being torn between the "maternal preoccupations" directed toward her child as well as toward her patient. Beyond the study of attitudes or stereotyped themes, this article tries of identify the "transference dynamics" brought on by the issue of an analyst's pregnancy. In conclusion, the analyst's pregnancy, during the course of treatment, appears to distance itself from its event-related qualities and transforms itself into a mix of fantasy and reality, which can be analyzed like a dream or a deep-rooted souvenir.

Išlaisvinti žodį ir formą : avangardistinis lūžis Bernardo Brazdžionio kūryboje

Brazdžionis is one of the most popular Lithuanian poets of the 20th century. Many literary critics speak about the religious and patriotic motifs in his poetry without pointing out that he struggled to renovate the structures of poetry and to release the literary speech like it was done by the Lithuanian representatives of avant-garde. In this respect, the most interesting are the early texts of Brazdžionis where we can find numerous instances of modern word and innovative form. The very first attempts "to release" the form appear in the short stories printed in the Catholic newspaper "Rytas" ("Morning"). The content of the novels is rather traditional, but to express it Brazdžionis uses modern form. The author rejects the principle of constructing the text as monologue. He is trying to involve the reader, to make him part of the process of text creation. Brazdžionis builds his text as a dialogue with the reader or with the characters. The author uses the experience of the literary movement "Keturi Vėjai" ("Four Winds") and neorealists (J.Banaitis, J.Šimkus), yet he wants to influence society not by shocking the people, but by reminding them the moral values. That distinguishes his novels from neorealistic. Brazdžionis uses telegraphese. He breaks the standards of syntax and changes the graphical form of the text. His sentences are cut into phrases by full stops and dashes. Every word can be written in a new line, ignoring the signification of the sentence. Most of all, Brazdžionis is doing this when he wants to express emotional intensification. In the book "Amžinas žydas" ("The Eternal Jew") Brazdžionis uses many ways to renovate the language of poetry. Words from many different contexts convolve in his poems - he uses words from ordinary speech, vernacularisms, archaisms, terms, international words, phrases of other languages. As we can see, Brazdžionis tries to reverse the hierarchic system of linguistic values. There is no difference between ordinary and poetic speech any more. That is the democracy of the speech. However, Brazdžionis gives priority to meaning, not form. His language experiments and literary games never upstage the signification. Mostly for this reason the works of Brazdžionis differ from the texts of the Lithuanian avant-garde.

Bécquer : modelos de intensificación y cierre en sus Rimas

Of all Hispanic poets of all time, none such as Bécquer has demonstrated such mastery in the growing emotional intensification and the impacting closure of his poems. The present study shows how the poet skillfully handles such elements as syntactic inversion, description which progresses from the general to the specific, the use of the shorter, so-called limping verse, the placement at the very end the key word of a given poem, as well as a large et cetera of similar techniques which permit him to consistently produce poetry which is at the same time moving and unforgettable.

The intensification and resolution of blocked affect in an experiential psychotherapy.

Focused Expressive Psychotherapy is a Gestalt-based method of psychotherapy which is designed to facilitate the resolution of constricted emotion in patients. This form of therapy is described as a five-step process. The present article addresses the steps of that process which relate specifically to the intensification and resolution of emotions. The importance and rationale for intensification are discussed and related to the concept of restructured schematic memories. Markers of resolution are identified as changes in 'benchmarks', changes in patient behaviour or attitude, and/or a reevaluated stance towards past events. We conclude by citing one of our recent research efforts that demonstrates a relationship between the intensification of emotion and positive therapy outcome.