Emotion
Four main theories of emotion come up in membership exams.
The key to understanding the difference between these is being clear where the stimulus for the emotion arises.
James-Lange theory
This theory suggests that emotions happen as a result of bodily sensations. For example if you see a big dog, your heart races, you feel afraid. It was suggested that certain external stimuli stimulate particular sensory organs in such a way as to produce a specific emotion.
The sequence of events proposed was as follows. Event - arousal - interpretation - emotion
Stimulus for emotion arises from physical sensations.
Cannon-Bard theory (aka thalami theory)
This theory proposed that when an event happens, one feels an emotion at the same time as physiological changes.
Stimulus for emotion arises simultaneously in the body and the mind.
Singer-Schachter theory (aka two-factor theory)
This theory suggests that emotions result from both physiological changes and the context. For example if your heart is racing and you're about to have an exam you label yourself as afraid, but if your heart is racing and your about to kiss your boyfriend/girlfriend you label your emotional state as excited.
Stimulus for emotion arises via a combination of physical sensations and the mind appraisal of them.
Lazarus theory
This theory suggests that a thought is first required before an emotion occurs. For example you see a big dog, you think it is going to bite you, and you feel afraid.
Stimulus for emotion arises from the mind.
- James-Lange theory
- Cannon-Bard theory
- Singer-Schachter theory
- Lazarus theory
The key to understanding the difference between these is being clear where the stimulus for the emotion arises.
James-Lange theory
This theory suggests that emotions happen as a result of bodily sensations. For example if you see a big dog, your heart races, you feel afraid. It was suggested that certain external stimuli stimulate particular sensory organs in such a way as to produce a specific emotion.
The sequence of events proposed was as follows. Event - arousal - interpretation - emotion
Stimulus for emotion arises from physical sensations.
Cannon-Bard theory (aka thalami theory)
This theory proposed that when an event happens, one feels an emotion at the same time as physiological changes.
Stimulus for emotion arises simultaneously in the body and the mind.
Singer-Schachter theory (aka two-factor theory)
This theory suggests that emotions result from both physiological changes and the context. For example if your heart is racing and you're about to have an exam you label yourself as afraid, but if your heart is racing and your about to kiss your boyfriend/girlfriend you label your emotional state as excited.
Stimulus for emotion arises via a combination of physical sensations and the mind appraisal of them.
Lazarus theory
This theory suggests that a thought is first required before an emotion occurs. For example you see a big dog, you think it is going to bite you, and you feel afraid.
Stimulus for emotion arises from the mind.
