The Science of Emotion (Känslornas roll)
– Course outlineThe emotion course is formatted into six sessions with 60 minutes of instructional video for each of the first five sessions, and 90 minutes of instructional video for the final session 6. Session 1 - Expression of Emotion
The first of the three laws of emotion is that emotion seeks expression. All emotions have a purpose that becomes thwarted when expression is denied or distorted. The two over-arching tasks of emotion are to bind us together and to grow us up. Although expression is spontaneous, impediments can be encountered. The most serious impediment is when emotional expression adversely affects attachment. Session 2 - Thwarted Expression
The adverse consequences of thwarted expression is discussed under five main topics: emotional dysfunction where emotion cannot do its work, distorted or displaced expression, depression as in flattened affect, failure to adapt to life circumstances, and troubling eruptions of emotion. The first challenge in dealing with problems rooted in emotion is to facilitate the expression of emotion without repercussion to a child’s working attachments. Session 3 - Feelings and Hurts
The second law of emotion is that emotion seeks consciousness. Feeling is the conscious tip of emotion. The fundamental importance of feeling is explored. Major impediments to feeling include lack of emotional expression, lack of heart language, and emotional defendedness resulting from hurt feelings. Unfortunately many children lose their feelings with dire consequences for their functioning and development. Our challenge for such children is to help them get their feelings back. Session 4 - Balance and Self-Control
The third law of emotion is that emotion seeks equilibrium, resulting in balance, stability and self-control. The mixing of emotions can only happen if emotion is first expressed and felt. The role of the prefrontal cortex is discussed as well as impediments to this spontaneous developmental process. Mixed feelings are explored as the prerequisite to courage, patience, empathy, reflection and self-control. The ultimate challenge for adults is to help children find their mixed feelings. Session 5 - Five Steps to Emotional Health and Maturity
The five stages in emotional development are outlined, with the challenges for children and adults in each stage. The primary pitfall of well-meaning adults is to focus on the developmental outcome rather than the process by which children get there. When it comes to emotion, rewarding or focusing on the desired end result will actually backfire, often resulting in deeper emotional problems. The challenge when children are stuck is always to start at the beginning where root problems exist. Session 6 - Viewing and treating troubling behaviours as emotional problems
Emotion has been eclipsed by such constructs as learning, discipline, disorder and even disease. Emotion has also been eclipsed by our focus on behaviour, reason and self-regulation. Only when we begin to reframe problems in the language of emotion can we find a way through. Various problems are looked at to illustrate the issues involved, including attention problems, anxiety problems, bullying and aggression. | 
