Theories of Emotion

Assignment Directions:

In this exercise, I’m going to lay out a scenario. Answer the questions that follow.

Scenario: You have just been hired for a part-time job paying good money. The work is interesting and you like the environment. It is also very close to home. Soon after you’re hired, your supervisor quits. A new supervisor is hired and the two of you don’t exactly get along. You find them, (he or she), rude, controlling and constantly critical. However, it took you a long time to get this job and you don’t want to lose it. After a couple of weeks with this supervisor, you make up your mind to do your best work and let your supervisor just be who they are. However, a few weeks after this, the supervisor calls everyone in for a staff meeting. They say certain items have been stolen from the office. During the meeting, you feel as if the supervisor is looking at you a lot and you feel implicated by this behavior. In addition, after the meeting, the supervisor says they want to speak with you first.

Before the meeting with your supervisor, you happen to hear two people talking and one of them admits to being the person who stole the office supplies. They say they did so because they needed them at home and couldn’t afford to buy them. You have no idea if this is the truth or not.
Assignment Guidelines:
1. What theory of emotions do you feel fits your supervisor’s behavior towards you in general and in the staff meeting? Anger, disappointed,

2. Describe the list of emotions you believe you would experience this scenario. Do you feel that your personality is represented on Gardner’s list? Which one are you? Explain your reasons for choosing this one.

3. Think back to the list of emotions you wrote down at the very start of the lesson. Now, look at the list of emotions you listed for this scenario. Are these emotions typical for you?

4. Now, think back to the video you watched on work and emotional intelligence. Which of those emotions, (emotional reactions), do you think would be in your best interest in the meeting with your supervisor? Explain why.

5. Finally, think back to the Carrie Underwood music video. How can you use an emotional appeal in the meeting with your supervisor? What emotions will be appropriate and which ones will be inappropriate and why?