Theories of Emotion

Historical Approaches

Common Sense Theory Emotion-arousing stimulus leads to a Conscious feeling (fear, anger) and a Physiological response. Emotional Behavior Seeing an angry dog triggers feelings of fear and physical responses such as trembling and behavior like running.

Common-Sense Theory Perception (Interpretation of stimulus— danger) Stimulus (Tiger) Emotion (Fear) Bodily arousal (Pounding heart) & Fearful Behavior Common sense might suggest that the perception of a stimulus elicits emotion which then causes bodily arousal

Debates in Emotion Research Which comes first, physiological arousal or the subjective experience of an emotion? Can we react emotionally before appraising a situation, or does thinking always precede emotion?

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

Walter B. Cannon challenged the James–Lange theory Bodily reactions are similar for many emotions (fear, rage), yet our subjective experience of various emotions is very different Our emotional reaction to a stimulus is often faster than our physiological reaction Artificially inducing physiological changes via adrenaline did not necessarily produce a related emotional experience James had proposed that if a person were cut off from feeling bodily changes, he would not experience true emotions. Studies of people with spinal cord injuries and cats with disabled sympathetic N.S. do not support James’ idea

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

Theories of Emotion: Cognition and Emotion

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 Study using epinephrine and a humorous or irritating situation showed that those who did NOT know their physiological responses (increased heart beat) was caused by a shot rated their emotions as more intense than those who knew.

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

Richard Lazarus (1922- ) Cognitive-Mediational Theory Emotions result from the cognitive appraisal of a situation’s effect on personal well-being All other components of emotion, including physiological arousal, follow the initial cognitive appraisal Intense emotions come from situations whose outcomes are important to us. Critics of this theory argue that emotional reactions to a stimulus or event are virtually instantaneous—too rapid to allow for the process of cognitive appraisal. They suggest that we feel first and think later.

Cognitive-Mediational Theory 2. I think he’s a mugger! 3. I’m afraid (heart beating) & will run away. I see a man by the parked car. I hear & recognize his voice. I know him and am not afraid I see a man by the parked car. I think he’s a mugger. I’m afraid and will run away. OR Your emotion depends on your cognitive appraisal or interpretation of the situation

Lazarus Cognitive-Mediational Theory Cognitive Label “This is a dangerous situation!” Pounding Heart (arousal) Fear (emotion)

Robert Zajonc (1923- ) Suggested that not all emotions involve deliberate thinking Therefore, cognition is not necessary for all emotions Some emotions skip the thinking part of the brain We feel first, think later.

Paths to Emotional Responses

Paths to Emotional Responses

Paths to Emotional Responses

Modern Research Supports And the Winner is… Modern Research Supports

James–Lange Theory Antonio Damasio’s findings—that each basic emotion produced a distinct pattern or neural response and that the physiological changes occurred before they were interpreted as an emotion—support the theory Support is also provided by research on the facial feedback hypothesis—the view that expressing a specific emotion, especially facially, causes the subjective experience of that emotion When people mimic the facial expressions characteristic of a given emotion, they tend to report feeling that emotion. The basic explanation for this is that the facial muscles send feedback signals to the brain, which uses the information to activate and regulate emotional experience.