Introduction

False Dichotomy: You can either be logical or emotional.

• Option 3: We can use our rational thinking to examine our emotions.

Values: Anything that you act to get/keep.

• Our deepest values come from our childhood.

Dr. Packer’s Theory of Emotion

Packer’s Thesis: Behind every emotion there’s a (usually implicit) thought that x is good or bad for you.

4 Parts of Emotion

1. Inner feeling
2. Usually implicit thought that something’s good/bad
3. Bodily changes
   • This is how we can tell another person’s emotions before they are even aware of their own emotions.
4. Action tendency.

6 Steps of Introspection (NUPARC)

1. Name the Emotion
2. Universal Evaluation
3. Personal Evaluation
4. Assess the truth of U (Universal Evaluation) and P (Personal Evaluation)
5. Reasons in the person’s psychological history for why this is false
6. Correct the thinking (include specific, actionable steps)

NUPARC Example:

1. Name: Anxiety
2. Universal Evaluation: I’m incapable of being in a romantic relationship.
3. Personal Evaluation: I’ll never give a woman what she wants. I’ll never find happiness in romance.
4. Assess the truth of U and P: Partly true and partly false. He’ll never find happiness if he keeps behaving like this. If he fixes his behavior, he’ll be capable.
5. Reasons in the person’s psychological history for why his false: He was dumped for no reason he could understand, so he wanted to make sure he’s in control in all future relationships (fear of pain).
6. Correct the thinking: Find the courage to date women he can have a serious relationship with. I’ll eventually find the one.

Some Common Universal Evaluations:

• Note: “I’m” can also refer to “Mine”
  • Example: We can be angry on behalf of our loved ones.

• Additional Notes:
  • Anger often is a mix of hurt and disappointment
  • Anxiety feels like a free-floating fear.
• Anxiety Defenses:
  • Repression
  • Denial
  • Projection
  • Withdrawal
  • Hostility
  • etc.

Aristotle Thoughts on Emotion & Action

Motivation is the mental process that leads to action.

Desire is the inner urge to act, determines what’s worth acting on.