Module 37 Theories of Emotion Worth Publishers

Emotion Emotion a response of the whole organism physiological arousal expressive behaviors conscious experience

Theories of Emotion Does your heart pound because you are afraid... or are you afraid because you feel your heart pounding?

James-Lange Theory of Emotion Experience of emotion is awareness of physiological responses to emotion-arousing stimuli (react and then label) Fear (emotion) Pounding heart (arousal) Sight of oncoming car (perception of stimulus)

Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion Sympathetic NS too slow to account for the speed of emotional reactions – problem with James-Lange. Emotion-arousing stimuli simultaneously trigger: physiological responses subjective experience of emotion Sight of oncoming car (perception of stimulus) Pounding heart (arousal) Fear (emotion)

Schachter’s Two-Factor Theory of Emotion Cognitive label “I’m afraid” Fear (emotion) Sight of oncoming car (perception of stimulus) Pounding heart (arousal) To experience emotion one must: be physically aroused cognitively label the arousal

Schachter’s Two-Factor Theory of Emotion You have arousal, if you are not sure of the arousal, you attribute it to the situation – spillover effect. Two groups – both get drug – one group told that it would either increase their arousal or that they would get cold feet and drowsiness the other group told that the drug wouldn’t produce any effects Told to wait. Each group encounters a confederate in the waiting room.

Schachter’s Two-Factor Theory of Emotion Some encountered a confederate that was happy and others encountered a confederate that was angry. When asked how you felt – Little emotion if you were told about the drugs effects – you attribute it to the drugs If not told about the drugs effects – you may “catch” the emotion of the confederate – attributing your happiness or irritation to the situation

Cognition and Emotion Must Cognition Precede Emotion? Do we need to interpret the situation? Zajonc & Le Doux – No, we feel some emotions before we think. Some neural pathways bypass the cortical areas involved in thinking, resulting in a short cut to the amygdala. Lazarus – Yes, emotions require cognitive appraisal of the situation – otherwise we do not know what we are reacting to.

Cognition and Emotion - Must Cognition Precede Emotion? The brain’s shortcut for emotions

Two Routes to Emotion

Two Dimensions of Emotion Positive valence Negative High arousal Low pleasant relaxation joy sadness fear anger