Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Emotional Contagion

Kanjō no densen [感情の伝染] 

 - CEJames & Alfonz Ingram


Vaccinate against emotional contagion!


Emotional contagion refers to the process by which people unconsciously mimic and synchronize their emotions, expressions, postures, and behaviors with those of others. This phenomenon is a form of social influence where the emotions of one person can spread to another, leading to shared emotional experiences within groups or between individuals. It plays a significant role in social interactions, group dynamics, and emotional regulation.


Mechanisms of Emotional Contagion

1. Automatic Mimicry and Feedback

• People unconsciously imitate the facial expressions, vocal tones, and body language of others.

• This mimicry triggers a feedback loop, where adopting someone else’s expression can evoke a similar emotional state in the observer.

2. Mirror Neurons

• Mirror neurons, found in the brain, fire both when a person performs an action and when they observe someone else performing the same action.

• These neurons may facilitate empathy and emotional contagion by allowing individuals to “feel” others’ emotions.

3. Cognitive Appraisal

• Beyond unconscious mimicry, individuals may consciously or unconsciously interpret the emotional states of others, leading to an alignment of emotions.

4. Empathy and Social Connection

• People with higher levels of empathy are more susceptible to emotional contagion as they are more attuned to the emotions of others.


Examples of Emotional Contagion

1. In Personal Relationships

• If one partner in a conversation is anxious, the other may begin to feel anxious as well.

• A smile or laughter from one person can uplift the mood of others.

2. In Workplaces

• A stressed manager can influence the emotional climate of an entire team.

• Conversely, an enthusiastic leader can spread positive emotions, increasing group motivation.

3. In Social and Public Settings

• Crowd reactions during sports events, concerts, or protests often exhibit emotional contagion.

• Social media platforms can amplify emotional contagion through posts and comments.


Factors Influencing Emotional Contagion

1. Individual Differences

• Empathy levels, emotional intelligence, and personality traits (e.g., extraversion or neuroticism) affect susceptibility.

2. Relationship Closeness

• People are more likely to experience emotional contagion with those they feel close to or trust.

3. Context and Environment

• Group settings, cultural norms, and emotional intensity of situations can enhance contagion.


Positive and Negative Effects

• Positive Effects:

• Strengthens social bonds.

• Promotes group cohesion and collective action.

• Boosts morale and motivation in teams.

• Negative Effects:

• Spreads negative emotions like stress, anger, or fear.

• Can exacerbate groupthink or herd behavior in critical situations.

• May lead to emotional exhaustion, particularly in caregivers or service roles.


Emotional Contagion in Practice

1. Leadership and Management

• Leaders can use emotional contagion to inspire and motivate teams by projecting positivity and confidence.

• Awareness of emotional contagion helps in mitigating the spread of negative emotions.

2. Therapeutic Settings

• Counselors and therapists may leverage emotional contagion to build rapport and create a supportive environment.

3. Conflict Resolution

• De-escalating conflicts by maintaining calmness can prevent the spread of anger or frustration.


References for Further Reading

1. Hatfield, E., Cacioppo, J. T., & Rapson, R. L. (1994).

Emotional Contagion. Cambridge University Press.

• This foundational text explores the theory and research behind emotional contagion.

2. Barsade, S. G. (2002).

“The Ripple Effect: Emotional Contagion in Groups.” Administrative Science Quarterly, 47(4), 644–675.

• A detailed study of how emotions spread within organizational settings.

3. Panksepp, J. (2003).

“Neuro-evolutionary sources of laughter and social joy: Modeling primal human laughter in laboratory rats.” Behavioral Brain Research, 182(2), 231–244.

• Discusses the neurological basis of shared emotional experiences.

4. Doherty, R. W. (1997).

“The Emotional Contagion Scale: A Measure of Individual Differences.” Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 21(2), 131–154.

• Provides a tool for assessing susceptibility to emotional contagion.

5. Wiltermuth, S. S., & Heath, C. (2009).

“Synchrony and Cooperation.” Psychological Science, 20(1), 1–5.

• Examines the role of synchrony in fostering emotional contagion and cooperation.



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