Should I Strap a Battery to My Head? and Other Questions About Emotion

Should I strap a battery to my head?, When should I listen to my heart?, and Can good moods kill? These are some of the many unusual questions about human emotion that psychologists try to answer in this book. Each chapter poses a different question about emotion which is then answered in an engaging and succinct way using current scientific evidence. Grouped into sections, the chapters address the purpose of emotions, what they influence, and how they can be shaped and shared. Practical tips and sources of further information are provided at the end of each chapter. Edited by Professor Peter Totterdell (University of Sheffield) and Dr. Karen Niven (Manchester Business School), this offbeat science book is the work of a team of psychologists who conduct research on a wide range of issues relating to emotion.CONTENTS:PART I: EMOTIONS - ARE ABOUT WHAT?What is an emotion? What good are emotions anyway? Are emotions all in my head? When should I listen to my heart? Can I be touchy feely? Are you sure that big boys don't cry?PART II: EMOTIONS - DO THEY MATTER?Do emotions lead me to dumb decisions? Can good moods kill? Which moods can give me that Eureka moment? Will my emotions choke me on my big day? Is anger an energy? Why should I never go to sleep angry?PART III: EMOTIONS - WHEN IS UP DOWN?What happens when I feel bad about feeling good? Can feeling happy be bad for me? Does it hurt to serve with a smile? Why are weak temptations strong? Is it better to come second or third?PART IV: EMOTIONS - WORTH A THOUGHT?Is it helpful to ask "Why do I feel this way"? Why would I want to feel anxious now? Can blaming myself for bad events ever make me happier? Why can't I learn to predict my emotions? Can I plan to stay calm?PART V: EMOTIONS - TIME TO ACT?Should I tackle my emotions or let them pass? Can I make myself feel better just by smiling? Should I strap a battery to my head? Money can't buy me love, but can it buy me happiness? Can I run myself happy?PART VI: EMOTIONS - ALL ABOUT ME?Are moods contagious? Can I change the way others feel? Is a problem shared a problem halved? Can I fake it till my team makes it? Will someone please explain my children's emotions to me?Proceeds from the book will go to a mental health charity and to fund research on emotion.