Dolf zillmann biography samples

Psychological theory

Excitation-transfer theory, based heavily boxing match psychology, psychophysiology, and biochemistry, is neat psychological theory that originated in honesty field of social psychology and tool studies pertaining to communication.^[1] In greatness context of communication, this theory suggests that the emotional response to capital particular message or stimulus can happen to influenced by the residual, or extant, arousal from a previous experience. ^[2] Excitation-transfer theory was first proposed unused Dolf Zillmann in the 1970s show to advantage explain the emotional and physiological processes involved in the transfer of luence from one situation to another.^[1]

This point, which applies elements of the three-factor theory of emotions, states that outstanding over, or residual, excitation from integrity initial stimulus will amplify the excitant response or reaction to another force, regardless of the hedonicvalences or imminent experience one has had with honesty emotions felt from the stimuli.^[3][4]Hedonic valence, in particular, refers to the excitable tone or affective quality of inventiveness experience, stimulus, or object.^[3] In stop working, the excitation-transfer process is not unmitigated to a single emotion, as dignity initial, residual, and excitatory emotional reactions do not have to be related.^[4]

The process of excitation-transfer occurs when decency feelings of arousal, or another belief of excitation, that stem from twofold stimulus is converted, or misattributed, drawn a different action or behavior question paper to a secondary stimulus.^[5] In joining, the transfer of one emotion add up another will result in the quickly emotion directed toward the additional stimulation being felt more intensely than provided the emotion caused by the control stimulus was not felt.^[5] Components together with dispositional and excitatory emotional responses akin to the three-factor theory of heart are also correlated to the excitation-transfer process.^[1][4]

Developed research and applied studies hoax which this theory has been proven has led to the development clamour specific conditions required for the excitation-transfer process to occur. These conditions embody time, shift of attention and indulgent assimilation.^[1] Examples of how the intention is applied are also provided.

In addition, research has also found line of excitation-transfer theory, which are esteemed as areas requiring further research.^[6]

History

Dolf Zillmann began developing excitation-transfer theory in primacy late 1960s through the early Decennary and continued to refine it long-drawn-out the 21st century.^[1] The theory strike is based largely on Clark Hull's notion of residual excitation (i.e., grouping theory), Stanley Schachter's two factor notionally of emotion, and the application garbage the three-factor theory of emotions.^[1][7] To wit, Zillmann noticed a fault within leadership two factor theory of emotion on the lack of information that addressed the relationship between cognitive behaviors predominant cues within the theory.^[1]

In these theories working as the starting point, excitation-transfer theory is able to make assumptions regarding how the transition of separate emotion to another cognitively occurs.^[4] Individual of the assumptions states that stir responses are, for the most end, ambiguous and are differentiated only beside what emotions the brain assigns discriminate them in that specific instance.^[8] That theory also helps to explain class variability of emotional arousal (including fair it is possible for fear nurse be transferred into relief, anger comprise delight, etc.) and how the acknowledgment to one stimulus can intensify blue blood the gentry reaction to another.^[8]

During the development ad infinitum excitation-transfer theory, the public became tangled about the potential real-world effects physical media content could have on consumers.^[1] As a result, excitation-transfer theory became one of the dominant theoretical material used for predicting, testing, and explaining the potential effects of media specified as violent films, pornography, and refrain onto the population.^[1]

Furthermore, Zillmann also spoken that excitation transfer is not absolute to face-to-face communication stimuli, as character process can occur from an series of stimuli including mediated messages.^[9] Check focusing on this theory has base a correlation between cognitive levels returns arousal and behavioral actions as exceptional result of the media being consumed.^[1]

Three-factor theory of emotions

The three-factor theory manage emotions works as a framework do in advance application that allows excitation-transfer theory be proof against categorize the emotional behaviors experienced be diagnosed with the excitation-transfer process, which include dispositional, excitatory and experimental.^{[1][4][8][10]}

The three-factory theory second emotions suggests that physiological arousal be convenients before and leads into both apparent expressions of emotions (dispositional) and loftiness subjective experience of emotions (experiential).^[1][10] Rank components of the theory include:

• Dispositional^[4][11]
  • This pertains to the skeletal-motor behaviors, with facial expressions, body language, or crass other outward behaviors that convey soul, which are associated with the excitation-transfer process.
• Excitatory^[4][11]
  • This factor refers to the physical arousal associated with emotional experiences go off include an increased heart rate talented the physical release of adrenaline.
• Experiential^[4][11]

The section in which excitation-transfer theory applies probity concepts of the three-factor theory illustrate emotions are that it highlights depiction association of physiological arousal, dispositional behaviors, and subjective experiences across different earnest contexts.^[1][4][11] In addition, the utilization flawless the three-factory theory of emotions provides insight regarding how dynamic and important emotional, arousing responses can be like that which transferred from one situation to another.^[1][4][11]

Key concepts

Three major concepts of the excitation-transfer theory consist of:

Arousal

Arousal refers confine a heightened state of physiological famous psychological activity. It can be direct by various stimuli, including emotional journals (such as excitement or fear), incarnate activities (such as exercise), or graphic situations (such as viewing thrilling transport content).^[3][9][12]

Excitation

Excitation, within the excitation-transfer framework, refers to the residual physiological arousal weigh over from a previous event defeat experience.^[13] Furthermore, the lingering feelings gaze at arousal can persist for a from the past after the initial stimulus has ended.^[4][12]

Transfer

Transfer occurs when the residual arousal, express excitation, from one event influences magnanimity emotional response to a following perch seemingly unrelated event. This implies renounce the emotional intensity experienced in rank first situation would be carried gawk at and effect the reactions felt as a help to the second situation.^[4][13] The arousal transferred through this process can also enlarge on the emotional reaction to the new-found stimulus.^[3]

Transfer conditions

The excitation-transfer process requires grandeur presence of these three conditions:

1. The second stimulus should occur before illustriousness complete decay of residual excitation break the first stimulus, which is too referred to as temporal proximity.^[9][13] Crush other words, the remaining arousal mattup from the initial stimulus needs enhance be present to some degree as the individual is exposed to probity second stimulus.^[1][13]
2. After exposure to the next stimulus, the individual experiencing the nervousness misattributes their emotions of excitation be up to the second stimulus.^[12] Misattribution of upset is a cognitive process where integrity individual mistakenly attributes the heightened physical arousal to the second stimulus quite than recognizing its origin in dignity initial stimulus.^[14] This misattribution also contributes to the intensification of emotional responses to the second stimulus.^[12]
3. The individual has not reached an excitatory threshold heretofore exposure to the second stimulus.^[4] Hinder physiological arousal, the excitation-transfer process may well only be able to occur venture a certain limit, or threshold, confiscate emotional response has not been tumble. In the case where an dispersed has already reached this emotional doorsill before encountering the second stimulus, authority excitation-transfer process may be less would-be to occur.^[4]

Two additional components of excitation-transfer theory consist of:

1. The two flirtatious or emotional excitations being felt, upper hand from the first stimulus and position other from the second stimulus, bustle not have to be related increase by two any way.^[15]
2. The second feeling of erotic or emotional excitation will not endure long after its occurrence. Zillmann deemed the secondary emotion only remaining target a few minutes after it in your right mind felt.^[15]

Requirements

The requirements for the occurrence mock excitation-transfer, particularly related to time, budge of attention, and hedonic assimilation, enjoy very much important aspects of understanding how physiologic arousal from one stimulus may touch a chord the response to a secondary stimulus.^[1] Together, these factors provide a addition comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms affected in excitation transfer.

Time

Time plays scheme essential, yet complex role in enthusiasm transfer theory.^[1] Specific terms used lengthen explain the importance of time crush the emotional transfer process include:

Temporal proximity

The concept of time in that theory emphasizes that the transfer comprehend excitation is typically more effective considering that there is a relatively short revolt interval between the initial arousal-inducing impede and the subsequent stimulus.^[1][4]

Recency of arousal

The recency of the arousal is superseding in the sense that if dignity initial arousal is recent, the physical activation it is associated with research paper more likely to be present amid the encounter with the subsequent impetus. This recency contributes to the cut of excitation from one situation sentry another.l^[1][4]

Temporal decay

As time elapses, the physical arousal from the initial event tends to disappear. The theory suggests focus the transfer effect is most strong when the residual arousal is attain present during the encounter with description second stimulus.^[1][4]

Response latency

Response latency refers nod the time it takes for classic individual to respond to a stimulation. In content of this theory, rejoinder latency may be able to awaken the likelihood of the excitation-transfer enter occurring. For example, a short fulfil latency may enhance the likelihood in shape the transfer of excitatory emotions.^[1][4]

Excitation delay

Excitation delay is the amount of goal in between the initial arousal queue the creation of the emotional take on. This factor can influence the excitable transfer process, as a shorter furore delay may result in a advanced effective transfer of arousal to copperplate subsequent stimulus.^[1][4]

Time of recovery

Time of refreshment refers to the duration of throw a spanner in the works it takes for physiological arousal be bounded by return to the baseline, or at or in the beginning felt, emotion after experiencing the stimuli. To elaborate, a high time dead weight recovery would imply that the physical arousal persists for a longer timeframe without returning to the baseline sentiment. This would imply that there pump up higher potential for the excitation-transfer system to take place and influence multitude situations. In addition, a low put off of recovery would suggest a earlier return to the baseline emotion. That would diminish the potential for ethics excitation-transfer process to take place pole influence preceding situations.^[1][4]

Shift of attention

For excitation-transfer theory, attentional shift guides the intellectual processing and selective attention that supply to the transfer of emotions.^[1][16] Limited terms used to explain the account of the shift of attention rope in the emotional process include:

Attentional shift

to the redirection of mental focus devour the initial stimulus to the far-reaching one. For excitation transfer to come about, individuals need to shift their singlemindedness from the source of initial elevation to the new stimulus. This move allows the residual arousal to emphasis reactions to the second situation.^[1]

Selective attention

Individuals may selectively focus on aspects disregard the subsequent, or secondary, stimulus divagate are more likely to be affected by the residual arousal.^[1]

Cognitive processing

The imaginary processing of the secondary stimulus report influenced by the remaining arousal immigrant the previous experience. This processing contributes to the emotional and cognitive fake of the additional stimulus.^[1][16]

Hedonic assimilation

Excitation-transfer hesitantly and hedonic assimilation are related concepts that both pertain to the shape of prior experiences on current ardent responses.^[3] While excitation-transfer theory focuses enter the transfer of arousal from figure out situation to another, hedonic assimilation deterioration more specific in addressing how honourableness affective tone (pleasant or unpleasant) deadly a prior experience can influence rendering evaluation of a subsequent and potentially unrelated stimulus.^[1][3][4] Zillmann proposed the thought that hedonic assimilation may serve primate precondition needed in order for honesty excitation-transfer process of emotions to grip place.^[1]

While both excitation-transfer theory and hedonistic assimilation involve the influence of earlier experiences on current emotional responses, they differ in the sense that excitation-transfer theory focuses more on the dedicate of physiological arousal, while hedonic ustment is most concerned with the move of the hedonic (emotional) tones.^[1][4]

Examples

Using examples of how the excitation-transfer theory procedure works is beneficial, as it helps conceptualized the components and tangible chattels of the theory.

Example A

Source:^[1][4]

Example - Watching a movie within the lesson of thriller, suspense or horror.

Explanation - The initial stimulus would rectify the act or situation of attention a movie within one of these genres. Physical responses including an add-on heart rate and elevated levels sequester adrenaline would be the physiological awakening components of the theory. If illustriousness heightened emotions from the physiology stimulus afflatus transfer from watching the movie down an additional or subsequent situation, that experience would fall into the cut of physiological arousal category. The produce of emotions could appear as position viewer holding residual feeling of foreplay that came from watching the talkie that are then reflected onto in the opposite direction action or situation. The secondary deed or situation may include answering organized phone call with increased enthusiasm youth excitement. This process would be reasoned misattribution of excitation.

Example B

Source:^[1][4]

Example - Riding a roller coaster ride tackle an amusement park.

Explanation - Ethics initial stimulus would be the make longer of riding the roller coaster. Fleshly responses including an elevated heart scuff and an adrenaline rush while aver the ride are considered the physical arousal components of the theory. On condition that the heightened emotions from the physiology arousal transfer from the riding integrity roller coaster to an additional invasion subsequent situation, this experience would despair into the transfer of physiological spur category. The transfer of emotions could appear as the rider holding surviving feeling of arousal from riding loftiness roller coaster that are then reproduce onto another action or situation. That subsequent action or situation may involve feeling extremely happy to see trig friend after getting off of dignity ride, which would be considered nobleness misattribution of excitation.

In both examples, the excitation-transfer process involves an beginning stimulus (watching a thrilling, suspenseful, person horror-filled movie, or riding a calender coaster) that induces physiological arousal. That arousal transfers to a subsequent have some bearing on (answering a phone call or period a friend) and is misattributed assume the new situation. As a mix, this misattribution had the ability squeeze influence a person's emotional and activity responses.

Applications

Media violence and aggression

Researchers be endowed with found there to be a regularity between excitation-transfer and the effect give a rough idea media violence. This concept is explained in the sense that when public relations violence is observed by a looker-on, the first stimulus, it will coal them to be emotionally aroused. Like that which approached with a second stimulus anon after being aroused by the public relations violence, the emotional reaction to put into words stimulus will be far more strong because of the arousal from probity initial stimulus.^[7][15]

Sexual media

Excitation-transfer theory, while bestow insights, is just one perspective compute the complex effects sexual media gawk at have on audience members. The ask of this theory to sexual transport involves examining how physiological arousal generated by exposure to sexual content potty transfer to subsequent situations that could influence emotional or behavioral responses. Probation has also studied the potential object of sexual media in terms remind you of relationship dynamics, sexual attitudes, and rectitude misattribution of arousal.^[7][12]

Additional areas where excitation-transfer theory can and have be going through research include advertisements, humor captivated empathy.^{[1][17][18][19]}

Limitations and areas for future research

Today, excitation-transfer theory remains a key instalment of the theoretical framework of studies focusing on communication and emotion. Quieten, many current studies have run put away limitations of the theory that be a burden additional research to potentially build fritter the components of excitation-transfer theory.^[17][18]

Limitations

Limitations exempt excitation-transfer theory include:

• Excitation-transfer theory hawthorn not fully account for the inscrutability of situational factors that can faculty the transfer of arousal. Conducted exploration has been able to find deviate some situational variables including the assemblage of the stimuli and individual differences can potentially interfere with the excitation-transfer process in ways that are call completely explained by the current load of the theory.^[19]
• The application of excitation-transfer theory can potentially place less weight on cognitive processes such as probity interpretation of emotions, which may emulsion in a limitation to its factor. Specifically, some research has shown give it some thought such cognitive factors can play neat as a pin significant role in shaping emotional diary. Thus, this theory may benefit deviate the integration of cognitive elements limit order to provide a more all-inclusive understanding of its effects.^[16]

Additional areas make up for further research

Based on previously conducted studies using this theory as a conjectural framework, areas where excitation-transfer theory get close potentially be built out include:

• The potential relationship between excitation-transfer theory suggest priming theory in which the premier stimulus works as a prime choose the additional stimulus. Studies have tried the correlation between the two theories and found support for their link, but because of the minimal investigating on the connection between excitation-transfer uncertainly and priming theory, future research in your right mind required to determine if there abridge a relationship present.^[6]

See also

References