Affect - A Functional Perspective

This paper presents a coherent account of affect ..based on the functional properties of the nervous system. The paper_ begins with a brief discussion of the nature of a structural theory and contrasts it with a-functional view. Thenthe functional view is dilcussed in more detail. The following two assumptions of the functional view are described: emotions are created by the 'simultaneous activity of various csomponents of the neuronal system and emotional structures persist only as long as the underlying a. neuronal elements remain in a state of functioning. Next, the paper demonStrates that traditional psychological research on affective