BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE – THEORIES – DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION
Theories of Emotion
Physiological approach to emotions focuses on the bodily changes that accompany an emotional state
and assumes that the experience is related to these.
1) early physiological theories:
James-Lange theory of emotion (1880s) – they proposed that bodily changes come first and
form the basis of an emotional experience (you become happier when you smile, you are afraid
because you run); (-) cannot explain emotion without any arousal, nor the role of learning and
cognition; (-) it is difficult to perceive different physiological states accurately (e.g. blood pressure).
Cannon-Bard theory of emotion – (1927) – changes of emotional state and changes in ANS occur
simultaneously but independently, both caused by the arrival of the same sensory input at the
thalamus; (+) it fits in well with LeDoux’s limbic theory; (-) cognitive labeling theory may better
explain the role of arousal.
2) the role of brain structures
The Papez circuit (’37) – hypothalamus (emotional expression) + limbic system (emotional feeling);
(-) it is oversimplified;
Papez-MacLean limbic model (‘49) – improvements to Papez, increased emphasis on the
hippocampus and amygdala (:aggression). (-) the model deals mainly with high-intensity emotions,
such as rage and fear.
LeDoux’s modified limbic theory (‘95) – two separate brain circuits involved in emotion: rapid
emotional response (thalamus – amygdala) and slower emotional response (thalamus – cortex,
thereby affected by higher mental processes)
the limbic system is a network of structures in the forebrain, including the hypothalamus, thalamus,
hippocampus, and cingulate cortex. The limbic system and hypothalamus stimulate the production of
adrenaline, which arouses ANS, which creates a physiological response (e.g. increased heart rate) and a
behavioral response (e.g. increased attention) in readiness to deal with the stimulus.
The Combined Approach –
Cognitive labeling theory – Schachter and Singer (’62) – all emotional experiences are preceded by
a generalized state of arousal. The nature of the subjective experience is determined (“labeled”) by the
individual’s cognitive assessment based on external, situational cues or internal ones such as
imagination. – the study – several studies have failed to replicate this finding – Dutton and Aron (74) –
high suspension bridge. (-) you can have emotional response with no cognitive awareness (e.g.
perceptual defense – GSR to subliminal words); (+) this view can explain how emotions are learned, as
an emotional label is derived from previous experiences of emotion in similar situations.
Cognitive appraisal theory – extension of the above – Lazarus (’91) – the experience of emotion is
related to how one appraises it – his study: participants who viewed a film of industrial accidents
experienced less stress if told that the characters were actors (denial condition) or were asked to
consider the film in terms of its value for promoting safety at work (intellectualization) than when given
no instructions. Zajonc – Lazarus - a hot debate on what is first, emotion (Zajonc) or cognition (Lazarus).
Conclusion for now – two independent, parallel processes (although Zajonc believes he won!).
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