The affect theory suggests that humans are motivated by emotional states, which can be classified as positive, neutral, or negative. Understanding and managing these emotions can lead to better mental health. Silvan S. Tomkins created the theory, which challenges Freud’s drive theory and Skinner’s behaviorism. Critics argue that it lacks practical application in therapy.
The affect theory states that humans are primarily motivated by affective states. Affective states in psychology are the subjective experience of emotions. The theory is that subjective experiences of emotion can be classified according to the type of physical response they elicit in the experiencer. Positive change and mental health can be achieved by trying to understand these affects rather than reacting automatically, often destructively, to them.
Silvan S. Tomkins was the creator of the theory of affects. Born in 1911, Tomkins dedicated his life to the study of psychology, writing a four-volume book entitled Affect Imagery Consciousness over a period of nearly 40 years. He died in 1991, shortly after completing the final volume. This new theory was Tomkins’ answer to holes in existing psychological theories, such as Freud’s drive psychology and BF Skinner’s behaviorism.
The affect theory states that there are three main types of affect or emotion. These categories include positive, neutral and negative. Positive affects are joy, interest, and excitement. Surprise is the only neutral effect described by this theory. Negative affects are described as anger, terror, and disgust. According to the theory, mental health can be achieved by maximizing positive affect and minimizing negative affect.
A key component to understanding affect theory is that affects are involuntary responses to external stimuli, hardwired into the brain. Behaviors are influenced by affects, usually automatically and without conscious intention. People tend to move towards situations that invoke positive affect and avoid situations that produce negative affect in them.
The goal of affect theory is to stop these automatic responses by listening to the messages that the brain is sending through affects. When you understand affects, you can make changes to improve your mental health. For example, if external stimuli produce the affect of anger, a common automatic response is withdrawal, attack on self, or attack on others. Instead of reacting automatically, a much more positive outcome can come from listening to the message the anger is trying to send, such as a need for more respect and kindness.
Critics of the theory of affects come from many practicing therapists. The complaint is that the theory offers very little in the way of practical application during psychotherapy. He is, however, partly credited with helping to shift the dominant 20th century psychological theories, Freudian psychology and Skinner’s behaviorism. The theory has come a long way to psychology in understanding human motivation. Prior to this theory, Freud’s drive theory was used to explain motivation. Tomkins realized that affects, not drives, motivate people.
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