Through an overview of the accumulated experimental results of many researchers, Prof. Lin Weilun explained Psychology's current understanding of affect and cognition and their distinction. The formation of patterns/networks of affective association indicates that emotional affect does indeed influence cognition and memory. As affect is so closely intertwined with cognitive evaluation, it is evident that cognitive changes also influence affect.
Prof. Chen Yibiao compared cognition and affect with the Buddhist Vijñaptimātra theory of "body" and "mind." Noting that Abhidharma distinguishes between "wholesome" and "unwholesome" affect/intention, he explained the ethics implicit within the Buddhist view of affect, cognition, and behavior. Wholesome behavior inspired by kindness is conducive to present and/or future well-being, whereas unwholesome behavior motivated by selfishness contributes to present and/or future suffering. Thus, a major difference between Buddhism's and Psychology's perspectives on affect and cognition is that Buddhism has ethical implications: it focuses on reducing the internal generation of unwholesomeness within the mind itself, while psychology focuses on negative emotions as being induced by the external environment.
Buddhism believes that affective emotion is not psychologically nor ethically neutral, but will result in wholesome/unwholesome behavior that reinforces habituated wholesome/unwholesome affect and cognition. On the other hand, modern Psychology tends to focus on the physiological and neurological bases of affect and cognition, but even apart from the quantifiable and the measurable, the qualitative association between affect and cognition is apparent.
Both Buddhism and Psychology believe affect can be shaped through cognition.
（Reporter: Shi Zhide, Photographer: Shi Chengjia）2021.04.20
The latest panel of the Cross-Disciplinary Colloquia features Prof. Lin Weilun and Prof. Chen Yibiao as the principal speakers.
Prof. Lin Weilun, Head of the Dept. of Psychology at FGU.
Prof. Chen Yibiao of Buddhist Studies at FGU.
A Psychology student from the audience raises a fervent question.
Students rapt with attention.
Exciting discussions among the faculty ensue.