Emotions
Essential Task 8-7:
• What are emotions?
• Theories of Emotion
– James–Lange Theory
– Cannon–Bard Theory
– Cognitive Appraisal Theory
– Schachter Two-factor theory
– Opponent Process Theory
Emotion
• The experience of feelings
• Can activate and affect behavior but it is more
difficult to predict the behavior prompted by a
motivation
James-Lange Theory
William James and Carl
Lange proposed an idea that
was diametrically opposed
to the common-sense view.
The James-Lange Theory
proposes that physiological
activity precedes the
emotional experience.
James-Lange theory
Body = emotion
“Without the bodily states following on the
perception, the latter would be purely cognitive in
form; pale, colorless, destitute of emotional warmth.
We might then see the bear, and judge it best to
run... But we should not actually feel afraid.” (William
James, 1890)
James, 1890, v. 2, p. 449 (Gleitman)
James-Lange theory
James-Lange theory
• Situation
 bodily reaction  emotion

FEAR
or
LOVE?
Spill over effect
An arousal response to one event spills over into
our response to the next event. Spill over effect
Arousal from a soccer match can fuel anger, which may
lead to rioting.
Arousal fuels emotion, cognition channels it.
Proposes that
physiological activity
precedes the emotional
experience.
Proposes that
physiological activity
precedes the emotional
experience.
Cannon-Bard Theory
Walter Cannon and
Phillip Bard
questioned the JamesLange Theory and
proposed that an
emotion-triggering
stimulus and the
body's arousal take
place simultaneously.
Cannon-Bard Theory
• See snake, run and fear simultaneous
• Stimulus to thalamus -- sends
simultaneous messages to:
– Lymbic system (arousal)
– Cortex (fear)
Schachter-Singer Theory
Two-Factor Theory
Stanley Schachter and
Jerome Singer proposed yet
another theory which
suggests our physiology and
cognitions create emotions.
Emotions have two factors–
physical arousal and
cognitive label.
“Schacter Factor!”
The Schachter theory
• Situation
 bodily reaction  emotion
+ cognitive appraisal
FEAR


LOVE
3. The Schachter theory
• Testing the theory:
• Hypothesis: The same bodily reaction will
cause one emotion in one situation, and
another emotion in a different situation.
– Give people a dose of adrenaline;
– Put them in different situations;
– What happens?
3. The Schachter theory
• Testing the theory:
• Schachter & Singer 1962:
(didn’t take pill)
(know what
pill does)
VERY ANGRY!
Medium angry!
Least angry
VERY EXCITED!
Medium excited!
Least excited
Due on Friday, January 15th
(It is excellent review! )