Theories of Emotion 3 Theories of Emotion

1. James-Lange Theory An emotion-arousing stimulus in the environment triggers a physiological reaction and behavior. Our awareness of the physiological reaction leads to our experience of an emotion. James believed that emotion followed this sequence: We perceive a stimulus. Physiological and behavioral changes occur. We experience a particular emotion.

James’s Peripheral Feedback Theory Perception (Interpretation of stimulus-- danger) Stimulus (Tiger) Emotion (Fear) Bodily arousal (Pounding heart) & Fearful Behavior James’s Theory Perception of a stimulus causes bodily arousal which leads to emotion We do not run from a tiger because we are afraid.  We are afraid because we ran from the tiger. The relationship is See the tiger, Run from tiger, Experience fear Keywords: Peripheral feedback theory, James

James-Lange Theory

2. Cannon-Bard Theory An emotion-arousing stimulus simultaneously triggers both a physiological response (sympathetic nervous system) and the experience of an emotion (brain’s cerebral cortex).

Cannon Bard Theory

3. Two-Factor Theory Also called the Schachter-Singer Theory Emotions involve two factors: A physiological arousal A cognitive label of the arousal Also called the Schachter-Singer Theory

Schachter’s Cognition-Plus-Feedback Theory Type Intensity Emotion (Fear) Perception (Interpretation of stimulus-- danger) Stimulus (Tiger) Bodily arousal (Pounding heart) Keywords: Cognition-plus-feedback theory, Schachter Perception and thought about a stimulus influence the type of emotion felt Degree of bodily arousal influences the intensity of emotion felt

Two-Factor Theory

THE MOST ACCEPTED THEORY . . . JAMES LANGE

The Expression of Emotion: Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication Humans reveal their emotions both verbally and nonverbally. Nonverbal expressions include facial and other bodily responses Communicating feelings without words: Facial expressions – Which part of the face is most important to displaying emotion? Tone of voice Hand gestures Also called “body language”

Expression of Emotions Guru Developed by Paul Ekman Microexpressions Universal Emotions Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Reading Nonverbal Communication Facial muscles, in particular, are hard to control and can reveal emotions that a person is trying to conceal Trained lie-catchers can detect minute changes in facial expressions (called microexpressions) that reveal lying. How often do people lie? How good are you at determining if someone is telling a lie or telling the truth?

The Expression of Emotion Gender Effects Women are better at reading nonverbal communication of emotions. Women tend to express emotions more than men do. Cultural Effects The cultural rules governing how and when a person may express emotion Rules greatly vary from culture to culture and for different groups within a given culture

Ekman's Studies on Facial Expressions of Emotion: Humans reveal their emotions both verbally and nonverbally. Nonverbal expressions include facial and other bodily responses. Paul Ekman and his colleagues have studied facial expressions of emotions and have linked specific emotions to the movement of specific facial muscles.

Ekman’s Facial Feedback Theory Each basic emotion is associated with a unique facial expression Sensory feedback from the expression contributes to the emotional feeling Example: Smile if you want to feel happy.  Keywords: facial feedback theory, Ekman

Emotion and Facial Expressions Paul Ekman and Walter Friesen coded different facial expressions by painstakingly analyzing the facial muscles involved in producing each facial expression Ekman and his colleagues found that people from many different cultures, even remote ones, accurately recognized the basic emotions expressed in photographs of facial expressions Some specific nonverbal gestures & emblems may vary across cultures; however, some body language is probably universal.

Which Baby is Which? Anger, Disgust, Fear, Interest, Joy, Surprise, Sadness

Joy Anger Interest Disgust Surprise Sadness Fear Which Baby is Which? Anger, Disgust, Fear, Interest, Joy, Surprise, Sadness