The phenomenon of emotional contagion in psychology and psychophysiology (part 1)

The authors present a theoretical analysis of the phenomenon of “emotional contagion”. Aim. The purpose of the article is to establish the content of the phenomenon of “emotional contagion" as a non-verbal form of communication that affects the cognitive, motivational and emotional spheres of the personality. Materials and methods. A theoretical analysis of scientific and methodological works devoted to the psychophysiological aspects of the perception of emotional information in the context of “emotional contagion” was performed. Results. “Emotional contagion” is considered as a form of non-verbal communication when the direct interaction of communicants is minimized or eliminated. The content of modern biopsychosocial models (theories, concepts) of emotional contagion is presented that explain the possible mechanisms of its activity: the contagion theory, “inorganic viruses”; concepts of collective emotions, interpersonal limbic regulation; models of “emotional convention”, mirror neurons. The directions of research and the scope of the application of “emotional contagion” in educational activities, psychotherapy, advertising industry, political science, demography are determined. The authors focus on the positive and negative effects of the techniques of “emotional contagion”: from individual exposure as part of corrective measures to the planetary scale and regulation of the demographic situation. Conclusion. The analysis of scientific research presented in the review actualizes the need to increase the psychophysiological resources of stress resistance to modern conditions.