Psychology: James-Lange Theory of Emotion

James-Lange Theory

• Developed in the late 1800s by William James and Carl Lange.
• Proposes that emotions are physical responses to environmental stimuli.
• Physiological changes like increased heart rate or sweating lead to emotional experiences.
• Example: Laughing causes happiness; crying leads to sadness.
• In a threatening situation, physiological arousal occurs first, followed by the emotional experience (e.g., fear from encountering a venomous snake).
• Different physiological arousal patterns correspond to different emotions.
• The sympathetic nervous system is activated during stress, preparing the body for "fight or flight."

Cannon-Bard Theory

• Developed in the 1920s by Walter Cannon and Philip Bard.
• Argues that physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously and independently.
• For instance, seeing a venomous snake triggers fear and physiological responses at the same time.
• Emotional expressions are linked to activation in subcortical brain centers, particularly the optic thalamus.
• Sensory input is processed in the cerebral cortex, which associates the emotional stimulus with conditioned responses.

Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory

• Introduced by Schachter and Singer in 1962, also known as the two-factor theory of emotion.
• Emotion arises from two interacting factors: physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation.
• Cognitive labeling of physiological changes contextualizes emotional experiences (e.g., fear from seeing a snake).
• Contrary to the James-Lange theory, it suggests that physiological changes alone do not determine emotions; interpretation plays a crucial role.
• Individuals interpret emotions based on their physiological state and situational context.

Lazarus’ Cognitive-Mediational Theory

• Developed by Richard S. Lazarus in 1991.
• Emphasizes the importance of appraisal in determining emotions.
• Appraisal acts as a mediator between stimulus and emotional response, often occurring unconsciously.
• Suggests that appraisal precedes cognitive labeling, simultaneously spurring physiological and emotional responses.
• Contrasts with the Schachter-Singer theory, highlighting that the immediate appraisal directly influences emotional and physiological experiences.