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Chapter 1: The Theory of Thin Slicing

Codes of the SPAFF - (Gottman & Coen, 2007)

1. Follow the link to the research article: The Specific Affect Coding System (SPAFF)
2. Download the full text of the article by clicking on the blue button in the top right corner that says "Download Full-text PDF."
3. Read pages 267-272 of Gottman & Coen’s article. On a separate sheet of notebook paper, take notes as you read. Stop reading when you reach the heading “Affection” on page 272.
4. We will spend time discussing the article in class. Note the following questions:



• What was significant in the article? What ideas stood out to you?
• What did you notice about this kind of writing (scientific research articles)?

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Exploring the SPAFF Codes

​Examine the SPAFF codes that Gottman & Coen discuss in their research. Your job is to research your assigned code and to produce a poster that will help you report your research to the class.  The poster must include the SPAFF code name, its function, indicators, physical cues, and counter indicators that you glean from reading Gottman & Coen’s research.  At the bottom, of your poster, I would like you to imagine that you have been asked to add your assigned code as a character to the Pixar film Inside Out. Draw an ORIGINAL rendering of what you think your character would look like.  Make sure that your drawing is based in the evidence from the research in the article. (Refer to my example poster.)  You will present your poster to the class. Sign up with a partner for the following SPAFF codes (note that the ones Inside Out has already claimed are off limits).

SPAFF Codes

1. Affection
2. Anger
3. Belligerence
4. Contempt
5. Criticism
6. Defensiveness
7. Disgust
8. Domineering
9. Enthusiasm (Formerly Joy)
10. Fear/Tension
11. Humor
12. Interest
13. Neutral
14. Sadness
15. Stonewalling
16. Threats
17. Validation
18. Whining

Sign-up

1. ________________________________________
2. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
3. ________________________________________
4. ________________________________________
5. ________________________________________
6. ________________________________________
7. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
8. ________________________________________
9. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
10. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
11. ________________________________________
12. ________________________________________
13. ________________________________________
14. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
15. ________________________________________
16. ________________________________________
17. ________________________________________
18. ________________________________________

Sample Poster

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Science of Sadness and Joy: "Inside Out" Gets Childhood Emotions Right