Question

Experiencing negative emotions can be beneficial, although unpleasant. Which of the following is the best example of the function of a negative emotion?

	a. Negative emotions, such as anger, help a person appreciate good life experiences
	b. Negative emotions, such as guilt, help us know how to behave

	c. Negative emotions, such as pride, actually allow people to gain status
	d. Negative emotions, such as worry, help motivate people to prepare for the future

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily.

(Answer) The answer should be B. This is because, with emotions like anger and worry, the brain produces an excess of cortisol, epinephrine etc. When this happens, our blood pressure and stress levels increase simultaneously. Under such a circumstance, logical judgment is impaired. Also, pride is probably a circumstantial way to status and not an absolute way. Therefore “c” is inconclusive and subjective. The answer should be “B” through logical deduction. (I deduce because all of the options are subjective and mere assumptions.)