Four_Theories_of_Emotion

Four Theories of Emotion Psy 240 July 26, 2013 Four Theories of Emotion The Four Theories of Emotion The main theories of emotion are the James-Lange theory, the Cannon-Bard theory, the Schacter-Singer theory, and the Lazarus theory. Each of these theories explain the order of events that occur when an emotion is present. The first of these theories is the James-Lange theory. Discovered separately by William James and Carl Lange. This theory claims that an event first causes physiological arousal and also a physical response. It is not until then that the person interprets the physical response as an emotion. An example of this could be shown when we are sorry we cry, angry because we strike out, or afraid because we shake. Simply put the physical aspects appear before we are aware of the emotions. It is not until we physically respond to a situation that emotions surface. The second theory of emotion is the Cannon-Bard theory, developed by Walter Cannon and later revisited and expanded upon by physiologist Phillip Bard. It suggests that following a chain of events: emotion-provoking stimuli are received by the senses and are then relayed simultaneously to the cerebral cortex, which provides the conscious mental experience of the emotion, and to the sympathetic nervous system, which then produce the physiological state of arousal. Or simply that we experience both the physical aspect and the emotion at the same time, not one caused by the other. The third theory is that of Schachter-Singer., a two-stage theory that states that for an emotion to occur there must first be a physiological arousal, and second there must be an explanation for the arousal. Something must grab our attention and have a reason as to why it got that specific response. The final theory is the Lazarus theory, this states that an emotion-provoking stimulus triggers a cognitive appraisal, which is followed by the emotion and physiological arousal. References References Pinel, J. P. J. (2011). Biopsychology. Boston, MA: Pearson.