Emotional contagion
an automatic, pre-conscious neurological process by which people mimic and absorb others' emotional states through facial expressions, vocalizations, postures, and movements, producing corresponding emotional experiences and influencing subsequent behavior and cognition
Why This Is a Definition
This definition precisely establishes 'emotional contagion' as a neurological process with specific mechanisms (mimicry, afferent feedback) and clear operational characteristics (produces corresponding emotional experiences, influences behavior/cognition). It distinguishes this from metaphorical uses by specifying the automatic, pre-conscious nature and neurological basis, while clearly defining the genus (neurological process) and differentia (mimicry and absorption of others' emotional states).
Source Lessons
Social energy management
Some interactions energize you and others drain you — manage your social diet.
Emotional boundaries
Emotional boundaries protect you from absorbing others' emotional states as your own. They allow empathy without enmeshment.
Emotional pressure from others
Other peoples emotional states can hijack your cognitive sovereignty.