Theories of Emotion• James-Lange Theory
An emotion-provoking stimulus produces a physical response that, in turn, produces an emotion
Emotions come about as a result of these physiological changes, rather than being
their cause.
James-Lange Theory• I see a bear My muscles tense, my
heart races I feel afraid
Theories of Emotion
• Cannon-Bard Theory An emotional feeling and an internal
physiological response occur at the same time
• I see a bear I feel afraid I tense in readiness to run away.
• One is not the cause of the other• Both the result of a cognitive appraisal of the situation
Theories of Emotion
• Two-Factor Theory of Emotion Emotion results from the cognitive appraisal of both
• 1. Physical arousal • 2. Emotion provoking stimulus
Testing the Two Factor TheoryDutton and Aron (1974)
• Dutton and Aron had an attractive woman conduct interviews with young men both on a swaying rope bridge, 200 ft above a river, and also on steady bridge only 10 feet high.
• Part way through the discussion, she gave them her phone number in case they wanted the results.
Results
• Over 60% from the rope bridge called her back, versus 30% from the firm ground group.
• They had interpreted their arousal from fear on the bridge as attraction to the woman and we calling seeking a date, not the results of the interview.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
EmotionfearCognitive interpretation
“I feel afraid!”
Physiological arousaltremblingincreased heart rate
James-James-Lange Lange TheoryTheory
Cannon-Cannon-Bard Bard
TheoryTheory
Two-Two-Factor Factor TheoryTheory
Stimulussnake
Stimulussnake
Stimulus
Emotionfear
Physiological arousaltremblingincreased heart rate
Physiological arousaltremblingincreased heart rate
Emotionfear
Theories of Emotion• Cognitive Appraisal Theory
Theory that individuals decide on an appropriate emotion following the event
• In the absence of physiological arousal, we decide what to feel after interpreting or explaining what
has just happened.
Example Cognitive Appraisal Theory
• When a colleague gets promoted, you might feel resentful if you think you deserve the
promotion more than they do.
• After reading the remarks from a teacher on a paper...
• …you decide if they are positive or not
Opponent-Process Theory
• Theory that emotions have pairs
• When we trigger one emotion, we suppress its opposite
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Two Emotion Processing Systems in the Brain
• 1. Fast Response System
• 2. Slow Response System
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Arousal Theory and the Inverted “U”
• Inverted “U” Function • Describes the relationship between arousal and
performance
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Inverted “U” Function
• Too much or too little arousal can impair performance• The most advantageous level for tasks needs to be
identified
Performance
Low HighLow
High
Arousal Level
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Arousal Theory
• People seek an optimal level of arousal that maximizes their performance.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Sensation Seekers • Individuals who have a biological need for higher levels of stimulation than do other people
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Extreme Sport Bloopers