Several theories have attempted to explain how we experience emotion. Most researchers conclude that emotions result from the interaction
of physiological, behavioral, and cognitive processes. However, different researchers stress different processes in determining emotional
experience.
Theory
James-Lange Theory of emotion
Researcher(s)
William James
Carl Lange
Cannon-Bard Theory of emotion
Walter Cannon
Phillip Bard
Two-factor theory of emotion
Stanley Schachter
(cognitive-arousal theory of emotion)
Jerome Singer
Cognitive-mediational theory of
emotion
Richard Lazarus
Definition
Example
Emotion is the result of
the interpretation of
bodily fluctuations.
Criticism: If emotions
are the result of changes
in the body, then
somebody with a spinal
cord injury would not
experience emotion.
This is not true. Also,
how would a person
differentiate between
being exited or angry
when both accelerate the
heart and body?
Emotions are the result
of the thalamus
receiving sensory
information about
emotional stimuli and
relaying the information
simultaneously to the
autonomic nervous
system and the cerebral
cortex.
Emotion is the result of
the interaction of two
separate factors:
physiological arousal
and a cognitive label
that explains why there
is physiological arousal.
Criticism: Some people
may cognitively
misinterpret changes
that occur in their
bodies. For example, a
person who has just
experienced a traumatic
event may feel the need
to express his or her
feelings towards another
person as the event
occurs or after it.
Emotions are the result
of the cognitive
appraisal of a situation
and how a person
decides it will affect his
or her well-being.
Sally was almost in a car
accident. Sally’s heart
started racing and
THEN she experienced
fear as a result of her
heart beating faster.
Sally was almost in a car
accident. Sally
experienced fear
(cerebral cortex) at the
SAME TIME that her
heart started to race
(autonomic nervous
system.)
Jim experiences anxiety
as he opens his report
card. His heart starts to
race as he thinks that he
might have failed a few
classes.
Suzy notices a man
approaching her on a
dark street. Suzy starts
to become scared, but
then she realizes
(appraises) that it is just
her brother and her heart
rate decreases at the
same time that she stops
feeling afraid.